Islamist preacher’s Canada tour sparks backlash over sex slave remarks
A scheduled appearance this week by controversial Islamic preacher Uthman Ibn Farooq at Université du Québec à Montréal is drawing condemnation from Quebec politicians and civil society groups.
A scheduled appearance this week by controversial Islamic preacher Uthman Ibn Farooq at Université du Québec à Montréal is drawing condemnation from Quebec politicians and civil society groups, who warn that the American cleric’s record of inflammatory statements poses a threat to public values.
Ibn Farooq, who was previously barred from entering the United Kingdom for being “not conducive to the public good,” is set to speak at a campus event hosted by Montreal-area Muslim student associations on Wednesday, according to promotional materials. His Canadian tour, which begins this week, includes multiple stops across the country.
In a statement posted to X, the Quebec division of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs denounced the preacher’s presence as dangerous, citing past remarks deemed homophobic, antisemitic, and misogynistic.
“The Islamist preacher Uthman Ibn Farooq poses a risk to Quebec’s security,” the group wrote, calling for his events to be cancelled. The group added that normalizing his ideology “is a threat to the common values of Quebec.”
Recently at a September event in Birmingham, UK, he proclaimed that “the future is ours,” adding that “every nightmare of a Muslim Europe will come true” and predicting that both America and Russia “will be Muslim countries.”
He has also justified sexual relations with wartime slaves under Islamic law and likened homosexuality to bestiality — statements that critics say clearly violate Canada’s hate speech standards.
Bloc Québécois MPs raised the issue in the House of Commons on Monday, demanding that the Liberal government take steps to deny Ibn Farooq entry or prevent him from spreading extremist rhetoric on Canadian soil.
“Mr. Speaker, the House learned today that Islamist preacher Uthman Ibn Farooq—who has been banned from entering the United Kingdom—will be touring Canada, including a conference at UQAM this week,” said Bloc MP Christine Normandin. “This preacher is known for openly homophobic, antisemitic, misogynistic, and extremist remarks. Will the government prevent this hateful and unacceptable tour from taking place on our territory?”
Government representatives declined to comment on specific cases, citing privacy laws, but affirmed their commitment to countering hate and ensuring Canada’s immigration system screens for national security risks.
Ibn Farooq has attracted controversy for comments made during public lectures and online content.
The event at UQAM is scheduled to take place in room DS-R510 and is organized by student groups affiliated with multiple Montreal universities.
I wonder how many would protest a speaker like this? Any right wing or Christian speaker would be labeled far right and protested and or canceled as we have seen this year.
Let us not forget Mr. Carndeau's speech to his Muslim friends in Oddawa in September 2025 where he stated that Candian values are Muslim values. With "leadership: like Mr. Carndeau and Trudeau's cabinet allowing rioting in the streets in support of Muslim values 07 OCT 2023 Canadians should take note.