EL-FAROUK KHAKI

'El-Farouk Khaki' (born October 26, 1963) is a Canadian refugee and immigration lawyer and human rights activist on issues including gender equality, sexual orientation, and progressive Islam. He is the New Democratic Party of Canada's candidate for the House of Commons in the riding of Toronto Centre in a by-election which must be called within six months of July 2, 2007.

Contents

Biography

Career

Refugee law

Progressive Islam

References

External links

Biography

He was born in Tanzania, which his family fled in 1971 escaping political persecution. He grew up in Vancouver, earned a law degree from the University of British Columbia, and has lived and worked in Toronto since 1989.Nicholas Keung, Gay, Muslim lawyer bucks stereotypes -- El-Farouk Khaki says human rights abuses call for a 'jihad,' a struggle against injustice, ''Toronto Star'', March 29, 2007

Career

In 1993, he founded Salaam, the first queer Muslim group in Canada and second in the world. In 2003, he organized the first female-led, mixed-gender Muslim congregational prayers in Canada for the Salaam/Al-Fateha International Conference, and in 2005, organized the first such prayers anywhere to be held in a mosque,Rachel Sa, "Making history first mosque prayers led by a woman: Mixed-gender service", ''National Post'', July 2, 2005Jen Gerson, "Woman leads Islamic prayers in mosque, a first for Canada -- Country could become the conscience of the religion, she says in Friday sermon", ''Globe & Mail'', July 2, 2005[1], ''Washington Post/Newsweek and he has been involved in every such public event in Canada since. Among other involvements, he has served on the Toronto Mayor’s Committee on Community & Race Relations, on the board of The 519 Community Centre, and is now elected chair of Africans in Partnership Against AIDS.[2], ''www.elfaroukkhaki.ca''
Khaki regularly speaks publicly at events and in news media on issues ranging from refugee protection,Frank Prendergast, "Lives at risk, warn activists", ''Xtra!'', Feb. 25, 1998 to the global AIDS crisis, Canadian multiculturalism,Zuhair Kashmeri, "Does the UofT's discipline code target minorities?", ''Toronto Star'', April 4, 1995 racism,Zuhair Kashmeri, "Does the UofT's discipline code target minorities?", ''Toronto Star'', April 4, 1995 persecution of sexual minorities around the world,Charles Montgomery, "Queer Refugees -- Canada is seen as a haven for those persecuted for their sexual orientation. Do we deserve the praise?", ''Georgia Straight'', Vol. 35, #1754, Aug. 2-9, 2001 and religious and racial profiling in the war on terror, among other topics. His appearances include CTV's morning television program ''Canada AM'',Gay refugee claimant fights deportation order, ''CTV'', Feb. 8, 2007 CBC Radio One's ''The Current'', Gay persecution in Iraq, Islamic historical context, ''CBC'', June 12, 2006 and others.
In spring 2007, Khaki received the prestigious Steinert and Ferreiro Award from the Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal Foundation for his "major role in paving the way in Canada for refugee protection on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender", and ground-breaking work on gender equality in the Muslim community.Tireless Activist and Advocate for Human Rights, ''LGCA'', 2007 The previous summer, Pride Toronto, one of the world’s largest gay-pride festivals, recognized his work building tolerance and inclusiveness in the Muslim community with the 2006 Pride Award for Excellence in Spirituality.Award Honourees Announced, ''Pride Toronto'', June 20, 2006
On April 30, 2007, Khaki won the New Democratic Party's nomination in Toronto Centre.Rob Salerno, NDP picks queer lawyer for Toronto Centre, ''Xtra!'', May 10, 2007 Since then, incumbent Bill Graham has retired leaving the seat vacant and awaiting a by-election.Barbara Yaffe, Byelections will show whether Tories have any Quebec traction, ''Vancouver Sun'', August 17, 2007

Refugee law

In 1994, Khaki represented a landmark refugee claim before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. The hearing, which lasted an extraordinary eight sittings rather than the usual single session, attracted major media attention and led to the implementation of sensitivity training for IRB Members and staff on sexual orientation issues.Nicholas Keung, [3], ''Toronto Star'', March 29, 2007
Khaki continues to specialize in representing before the IRB a variety of severely marginalized social groups, such as persons living with HIV/AIDS and women fleeing domestic violence or other gender-based persecution, and is highly regarded as a pioneer in this regard.Nicholas Keung, [4], ''Toronto Star'', March 29, 2007

Progressive Islam

Main articles: Liberal movements within Islam

Khaki founded Salaam, the first queer Muslim group in Canada and second in the world, in 1993, and organized the Salaam/Al-Fateha International Conference in 2003.Catherine Patch, "Queer Muslims find peace", ''Toronto Star'', June 15, 2006 He also co-founded and served as Secretary General of the Muslim Canadian Congress, which, after its inception in 2002, became nationally known in Canada as the voice of progressive Canadian Muslims. In August 2006 the group split in two, and Khaki and many other members including much of the leadership left the MCC and created a new organization, the Canadian Muslim Union (CMU).Sonya Fatah, ''Globe & Mail'', August 25, 2006 The CMU emphasizes that it operates on democratic principles and intends to constructively engage the wider Muslim community.

References

External links

★ El-Farouk Khaki, NDP Toronto-Centre