Ryerson University fires Islamic teaching assistant for anti-Semitic preaching

The Masjid Toronto mosque, where a teaching assistant from Ryerson university referred to the “filth of the Jews,” condemned the remarks as “offensive to those of the Jewish faith.”

Toronto’s Ryerson University has terminated the employment of teaching assistant Ayman Elkasrawy for having preached in a sermon to “purify the al-Aqsa Mosque (the Temple Mount) from the filth of the Jews.”

“We remain actively engaged in addressing antisemitism in our community,” wrote President of Ryerson University Mohamed Lachemi in a letter to B’nai Brith Canada, a Jewish human rights organization that expressed outrage over the sermon and demanded that Elkasrawy be fired.

“(Elkasrawy) is no longer employed by the university,” Lachemi stated.

The Masjid Toronto mosque, where the anti-Semitic sermon was given, condemned Elkasrawy for making “an inappropriate supplication that was offensive to those of the Jewish faith.”

“Such language is unacceptable and against the values and practices of the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), Masjid Toronto and the Muslim Community at large,” the mosque said in a statement. “Masjid Toronto condemns all forms of hate and racism towards any faith group or others and is committed to offering a safe spiritual space for all congregants.”

B’nai Brith Canada expressed appreciation for the removal of Elkasrawy.

“We are relieved to finally hear that Mr. Elkasrawy has been dismissed,” said CEO Michael Mostyn. “There is no place for someone who believes that Jews are ‘filth’ to deliver lectures or grade assignments at a Canadian university.”

“We hope that this action by Ryerson administration will serve as a turning point in what has been a difficult year for Jewish students on that campus, and commend the administration for dealing with this serious matter,” he added.

B’nai Brith Canada  recently dealt with a case at McGill University in which the organization complained of a member of the university’s Legislative Council and Board of Directors of the Students’ Society who called upon his Twitter followers to “punch a Zionist.”

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News

anti-SemitismB'nai Brith CanadaRyerson University