The Canadian government has called on Hizb ut Tahrir Canada to cancel its upcoming Khilafah Conference as federal security and intelligence agencies consider listing the group as an official terrorist entity. The conference, scheduled for January 18, 2025, in Hamilton, Ontario, has faced widespread condemnation for promoting the overthrow of governments to establish a global Muslim caliphate under Islamic Shariah law.
Public Safety Minister David J. McGuinty and Associate Minister Rachel Bendayan issued a statement expressing deep concern over the event, citing the group’s history of glorifying violence, promoting antisemitism, and supporting banned terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. They reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to peace, inclusion, and diversity, calling on organizers to cancel the event.
The federal government is actively assessing Hizb ut Tahrir Canada for potential designation as a terrorist entity under Canadian law. Such a listing would result in freezing the group’s assets, barring financial institutions from handling its funds, and making it illegal to participate in or support its activities.
Hizb ut Tahrir, an international organization banned in several countries, denies any association with violence or terrorism. However, its manifesto has been criticized as anti-democratic, antisemitic, and extremist, advocating for the eradication of Israel and the global dominance of Islamic law.
The conference’s relocation from Mississauga to a secret location in Hamilton follows a previous cancellation in 2023 after the group’s sister organization was declared a terrorist entity in Britain. Jewish organizations and antisemitism advocacy groups have urged the government to shut down the event and designate the group as a terrorist organization, with over 10,000 Canadians signing a petition in support of the action.
The federal government has promised continued efforts to combat extremism and antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the security of all Canadians while working closely with law enforcement and community partners.
