Dear Editor,

In your article (Letter asks PM to muzzle minister, Kenney Under Fire, March 10), inaccurate information appeared about the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR).

NCCAR is not an "Arab organization," but an organization whose membership includes Canadians of diverse backgrounds, Arab-Canadians amongst them. NCCAR's mission is to build ties between Canadians and the people of the Arab world in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values.

Principles that underpin NCCAR's work and anchor its positions are those that Canadians cherish: truth, justice, freedom, democracy, equality and security for all people as found in international law, including universal human rights and international humanitarian law.

Canadians of diverse backgrounds (of English, French, Native, Arab and other heritage and of Jewish, Christian, Muslim and other faiths) are increasingly coming together to insist that Canadian politicians and the media take a "pro-human rights for all" position. This position should be celebrated and promoted as a great example of how well Canada works: how Canadians can and do collaborate to uphold important principles, regardless of our ethnic or faith background.

While it is not within NCCAR's mandate to be involved in the Kenny/CAF issue, having been mentioned directly in this discussion we feel we need to be clear that like many Canadians, we do have legitimate concerns about the way government funding may have been used to discourage minorities from openly debating issues of relevance. We would also urge our government to reconsider threats to cut funding from a program that benefits new comers.

We also regrettably can see why some organizations with "Arab" attached to their name feel like they may be shut out by the government. Reasonable access to Ministers and the PMO and on-going dialogue is beneficial to our government and the community and will go a long way in building better relationships, mutual respect and understanding.

Bahija Réghaï
President
NCCAR