JEDDAH, 28 January 2004 — The Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) has renewed its advisory to Canadian Muslims against traveling to the US even as an intermediate stop on their way to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj.
This follows the recent announcement that passengers entering the US will be fingerprinted and photographed. The 2001 Canadian census shows there are 579,375 Muslims in Canada.
Coming just before the annual pilgrimage, CIC predicts that the American airline industry could lose an estimated $10 million in diverted business. “The new American security regulations will most likely affect travelers with Muslim-sounding names,” said CIC National President Dr. Mohamed Elmasry.
“Canadians preparing to leave for Haj do not want the added stress of American security and border officials treating them like criminals,” he said.
Although the new American border control regulations are meant to apply only to permanent residents in Canada, there is no guarantee that full Canadian citizens will not be subjected to the same treatment.
CIC research indicates that Canadian Muslims going for Haj are using Canadian, European, or Middle- and Far-Eastern air carriers in order to avoid making their journey through the US.
“It is usually less expensive to travel to the US and fly from there,” agreed CIC National Vice President Wahida Valiante. “But in today’s climate of heightened suspicion and security alerts, we advise that it is better to spend a little more money and avoid crossing the US-Canadian border. Peace of mind is worth paying for.”
The Saudi Consulate in Ottawa says 2,839 Canadian Muslims have already obtained Haj visas. Dr. Elmasry estimates 5,000 Canadians will perform the Haj, spending $2,000 each on airfares and other money on additional items as well.
A total boycott of American airlines will cost the industry up to $10 million in lost revenues, he estimates.
Riad Saloojee, executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations in Canada, said his group has received complaints from Canadian Muslims who say they have been harassed by American security officials.
“We don’t know exactly how many Canadian Muslims are coming to perform Haj but according to the Haj Ministry, between 2,000-2,500 come every year. A large percentage of them hold Canadian citizenship but are not traveling from Canada,” said Yves Duval, at the Canadian Embassy in Riyadh.
The embassy does not have information on their travel arrangements but Duval said Canadian Muslims coming from Canada usually use travel agencies accredited to organize Haj trips or use chartered flights to Jeddah and make arrangements for services with local companies.
“The consular section of the embassy will provide assistance in any situation involving Canadians, particularly during the Haj,” Duval added.
