The Muslim Council of Calgary
5615-14 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
Press Release
For Immediate Release
May 17, 2011
PROPOSED CANADIAN MUSLIM-FIRST NATIONS MEDIATION IN SUPPORT OF YEMEN
CALGARY - A Canadian coalition of Muslim, First Nations and humanitarians is proposing Canada assist Yemen resolve their conflicts peacefully, with broad Yemeni support.
Already endorsed by the Muslim Council of Calgary and Imam Hamid Slimi, Chair of the Canadian Council of Imams, a formal proposal will be available Friday May 20.
Inter-Tribal Bridges: That We May Know Each Other is harnessing Canada’s unique experience melding tribal and federal government systems and resolving conflict between them, alongside Islam’s long tradition of promoting intertribal peace.
Maria al-Masani, Yemeni Canadian development specialist explained, “Yemen’s government only controls a few cities, and the tribes have more soldiers than Yemen’s Army. Yet they have been excluded from the negotiation process despite the fact they support civilian protest leader Ms. Tawaakol Karman, and even her commitment to eliminating al Qaeda.”
“Creating a framework for tribal peace was the first thing Muhammad did when he founded Islam”, said David Liepert, MCC spokesperson. “That makes what the Yemenis want something every Muslim should support.”
With over a decade of Yemeni experience, Donna Kennedy-Glans of Integrity Bridges added, “In Yemen, since the Queen of Sheba, Yemeni culture has honoured women, even in leadership roles. It’s delightful to observe major tribes’ endorsement of Tawaakol Karman.”
Ernest G. Tannis, prominent Alternative Dispute Resolution consultant concluded, “In Akwesasne, the Mohawk Nation and Canada resolved a bloody conflict because everyone met and made peace together: a universal lesson equally applicable to Yemen.
I fear until ‘everyone is at the table’, conflicts will continue there as well. Qabili to Qabili, nations to tribes (and vice-versa) dialogue will be the most effective long term resolution for conflict in Yemen.”
For further information contact:
David Liepert: 403-650-4025 david.liepert@muslimsofcalgary.ca
Maria al-Masani : 613-614-1916 www.maria-al-masani.com
Donna Kennedy-Glans : 403-852-3570 www.integritybridges.com
Ernest G. Tannis : ernestgtannis@adrcentre.org
