Islamic convention in Laval urges Muslim youth to shun Canadian norms and build insular economy
A Montreal-area Islamic convention urged young Muslims to distance themselves from Canadian society, promote a self-contained economy and seek political influence through wealth.
On July 26, the LIT Islamic convention was held at Embassy Plaza in Laval, targeting Muslims aged 15 to 30. Sponsored by the Qibla Foundation, which recently received more than $20,000 in federal funding, the one-day program featured eleven speakers urging attendees to reject Canada’s secular legal framework in favor of a community-centric Islamic model. Navaid Aziz promoted a "circular economy" backed by gold and the Phi Wallet, arguing that amassed wealth should be used to influence politics.
Daood Butt cautioned participants to avoid non-Muslim friends and relationships deemed haram, while Yasir Nadeem described Western laws as "brainwashing" and warned that supporting LGBT causes could label Muslims as terrorists. Photographs showed the main hall divided by a curtain separating men and women, and the event’s rhetoric sparked criticism over its integration stance.
Why it matters
The convention’s message challenges how Muslim communities engage with Canadian society and raises questions about public funding for such events.
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