August 29, 2025
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1
Re: Defending Freedom of Expression – In Support of Mr. Mohamad Fakih, C.M.
Excellency,
We, the undersigned community, faith based, civil liberties, humanitarian relief, and
human rights organizations, along with individual activists, professionals, business leaders and
public figures from across Canada, write to express our concern regarding calls to review or
rescind Mr. Mohamad Fakih’s Order of Canada, following the publication of a post on his social
media. These calls are based on a distortion of his words and reflect a broader campaign to
suppress free speech on human rights, particularly regarding the genocide in Gaza and
oppression against Palestinians. These calls are also attempts to divert attention from these
atrocities and canceling advocates for justice as threats to peace. We urge Your Excellency to
consider the broader implications, not only for Mr. Fakih but for the principle of free expression
essential to Canadian democracy.
Mr. Fakih is highly regarded within Canada’s Muslim and Arab communities. Mr. Fakih is
known for his major contributions to Canadian society supporting refugees and newcomers
integrating into Canadian society. His immense charitable and philanthropic contributions have
been greatly appreciated by broad segments of Canadian society. He has been a pillar of
strength for Canadians reaching out to all in need regardless of race or religion. Any review or
recission of his award would be seen as a matter of concern by Muslim and Arab communities,
as well as Canadians engaged in human rights and advocacy. Such a review could be
interpreted as an attempt to limit or silence voices addressing human rights issues and
humanitarian concerns.
Freedom of expression, guaranteed under Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms, must be protected, even when views are unpopular or controversial. This
right ensures all individuals, including Mr. Fakih, can voice their concerns within the confines of
the law. Allowing misinformation or external pressure to curtail this freedom would erode the
principles of liberty and democracy that define Canada.
Mr. Fakih’s post, calling for accountability for those enabling genocide in Gaza, is not an
attack on any ethnic or religious group. It is a condemnation of state violence and the targeting
of civilians, journalists, and healthcare workers, as documented by the United Nations and
numerous international human rights organizations. Speaking out against genocide and
advocating for peace must never be misrepresented as criminal or discriminatory. We
respectfully urge your Excellency to consider the full context of Mr. Fakih’s words. His message
was directed at individuals and entities supportive or complicit in ongoing atrocities in Gaza, not
entire communities. It should be understood as a call for justice, not as an incitement of hatred.
In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that Your Excellency consider the
broader implications of any decision regarding Mr. Fakih’s Order of Canada. Rescinding this
honour on the basis of intentional misinterpretation of his words would not only be a miscarriage
of justice but would also send a signal that expressing concern over war crimes and human
rights violations, particularly in the case of Palestinians, is not welcome in our society. This
decision would also be perceived by Muslim and Arab communities as discriminatory treatment
by your office. As Canadians, we must reject efforts to suppress or marginalize those who
advocate for justice, peace, and the protection of human life, and instead reaffirm our
commitment to fundamental human rights. We trust that your office will act in accordance with
the principles of justice and human dignity that underpin Canadian society.
Yours truly,
Signatories:
Khaled Alqazzaz, Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC)
Michael Bueckert, PhD, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)
Taha Ghayyur, Justice For All Canada
Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV)
Haissam Dahan, Canadian Muslim Healthcare Network (CMHN)
Azeddine Hmimssa, Bel Agir
Samer Abou-Sweid, Hikma Public Affairs Council
International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF)
ISNA Canada
Hugh Doherty – Canadians in Support of Refugees in Dire Need
Brianna Olson Pitawanakwat, United for Peace- Canadian Interfaith Coalition
Aliya Khan MD, FRCPC, FACP, FACE , Doctors for Humanity
Ben Thomson, MD MSc MPH FRCPC, physician, co-lead EyeWitnessGaza
Omar Yaqub, ICD.D DSL (Hon) MBA BSc, IslamicFamily
Yousuf Syed, Canadians Against Oppression And Persecution(CAOP)
Hanan Farhat, Ottawa Healthcare Professionals for Palestine
Palestine Solidarity Committee of Saint John, New Brunswick
Atlantic Canada Palestinian Society Halifax
Urooj Mian MSc, LL.M., Sustainable Human Empowerment (SHE) Associates Inc.
Rabbi David Mivasair, emeritus
Rev. Audrey Lounder,
Rev. Diane Blanchard
Rev. Miriam Spies PhD
Hussein A. Hamdani LL.B
Muhammad Munshi, MD FRCPC
Aisha Sherazi, PhD, Educator and Writer
Sarah Khan, MD, FRCPC
Huda Abu-Jarad BDS DDS , CMHN
Ali Iqbal, MD, FRCPC
Mohamed Bakr, Professor, McMaster University
Romesa Khalid, MD, CFPC
Catherine Clase, MB BChir, MSc, FRCPC. FASN, FACP
David Heap, PhD. Associate Professor, University of Western Ontario.
Valérie Dubé, MD, FRCPC
Rabia Khan, MD, CCFP Guelph4palestine
Nawaz Tahir, B.A, LLB.
C. Zarak Aslam MD, CCFP
Lubna Khoury – Soul of Falasteen Society
Syed K. Hussaini, MD, FRCPC
Mohammad Zubairi, MD, FRCPC
Gabrielle Inglis, MD MMSc CCFP
Ben Azad (Retired)
Ahmed Ibrahim, Chair of the Trust, Ottawa Muslim Association
Ally Crockford, National Coordinator, Righting Relations Canada
Shahina Siddiqui, LLD
Tal Jarus, PhD
Brenna Mahony, RN
Amina Allalou, MD
