In a statement released on Wednesday, the MCC thanked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for being vigilant and keeping Canada safe from terrorists.

“Thank God these men were stopped before they could carry out their alleged plot,” said Salma Siddiqui, vice president of the MCC.

“We would like to commend the RCMP for apprehending the suspects, but we hope that the accused will be tried with due process, the presumption of innocence, and with full guarantees that their constitutional rights will be protected,” she added.

Commenting on the news of the alleged terror cell, Salma Siddiqui said, the disclosure of this new terror cell is a sad reflection on the Muslim community. Four years after the Toronto-18 terror arrests, we are back to square one.

She said it was unfortunate that the leadership of the traditional Islamic organizations in Canada have not yet denounced the doctrine of armed jihad that is at the root of terrorism and jihadi activity.

The MCC has urged the Muslim community to confront extremism and radical ideas that are growing instead of declining among Muslim youth.

Siddiqui said, unless and until the Muslim leadership in Canada steps up to the plate and declares unequivocally that the doctrine of armed jihad is outdated and inapplicable, the latest terror-related arrest in Ottawa will not be the last one.