The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations yesterday voiced its support for the unprecedented hate-crimes charges laid against a Canadian extremist, applauding law enforcement for sending a “clear message” that advocating racist crimes “will not go unchecked.”

Salman Hossain, who recently left Mississauga, Ont., for South Asia and who has not yet been arrested, was charged with willfully promoting hatred and advocating genocide after a five-month investigation into Internet posts that call for the mass killing of Jews in Canada and other Western countries.

“We are pleased that charges have been brought against Mr. Hossain as it sends a clear message that speech of this nature will not go unchecked,” Ihsaan Gardee, CAIR-CAN’s executive director, said in a statement. “CAIR-CAN joins Canadians from all walks of faith in condemning Mr. Hossain’s disgusting comments for what they are: the hateful and hurtful rants of a person completely ignorant of basic Islamic principles of justice and compassion.”

Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress, said it is “well and good” that the council has come out in support of the charges, but said the organization must do more to “distance itself from the doctrine of jihad.”

Bernie Farber, CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said the fact that the council is now voicing its condemnation of Mr. Hossain is a “surprise.”

“They haven’t done this in the past, so it is a surprise, but it would be absurd for them not to have supported the charges,” Mr. Farber said. “When CAIR-CAN comes out and condemns hateful terms like Israel apartheid, then I’ll stand up and take notice. Coming out against Salman Hossain is easy.”

Mr. Gardee, the executive director of the council, was not available for an interview yesterday.

This article is provided as a public service and does not necessarily reflect the position of Canadian Jewish Congress.