As people around the globe celebrate the New Year, for me 2019 is beginning just the way 2018 did — with a threat against me.
Leading up to 2018, the threats against me were quite blatant, leading last year to the arrest of two would-be assassins in India.
Even in Toronto, a Muslim cab driver pointed his fist at me in pistol fashion saying, "I have a special gun for you," as he sped away.
Yet towards the end of 2018, a much more subtler death threat was addressed to me, this time by the head of Canada's newest aspiring political party, the Islamic Party of Ontario.
In case you have not heard of the Islamic Party of Ontario, its name was officially reserved under Elections Ontario rules in October 2018, with more steps required before it becomes a formal party.
It operates with a mandate to introduce Islamic rule in Ontario and Canada because, according to the fledgling party, "We understand and believe that Islam is the native DEEN (religion) of Ontario and Canada."
The Islamic Party of Ontario is headed by one Jawed Anwar, who operates out of the Toronto neighborhood of Thorncliffe Park.
In a column posted at the end of October targeting American activist Laura Loomer, Anwar described me as "... Islamophobe Tareek (sic) Fatah in Toronto Sun. Tareek is an open enemy of Islam and a hate-purveyor."
Non-Muslim readers, even police and politicians, would not know the significance of the allegation, but every Muslim on earth is aware of the implications of accusing a Muslim of being an 'Islamophobe' or being "open enemy of Islam."
An allegation such as the one labelled against me is the equivalent of declaring me an 'apostate,' which makes it a duty of other Muslims to kill me and thus secure a place in Paradise for themselves.
For those who are living in 2019 and the 21st century, this may sound like a joke. But those who are still living as if it is 1019 in the 11th century, the beheading of an alleged Muslim apostate is part of their heritage and faith.
After all, the first Muslim vs. Muslim war broke out within a year of Prophet Muhammad's death when one section of the community was declared 'apostates' by the Caliph and the 'War of Apostasy' led to thousands being killed over an issue of religious taxes.
Petty cowards inside the Muslim community are prone to hang Islam's Sword of Damocles over their opponent's head and swing it to deadly effect. This was best captured in the story of the 10th century Baghdad philosopher Mansour Hallaj, who was beheaded for the sacrilege of merely uttering the words, "I am the Truth."
Islamists universally agree that it is essential to put the Muslim apostate to death. They base their blood lust on a supposed command of Prophet Muhammad who is recorded to have said: "Whoever changes his religion, put him to death."
Death threats do not intimidate me, but here we have in Anwar the leader of an aspiring Ontario political party who is playing coy with Premier Doug Ford by supporting the PC Party's approach to 'gender politics.'
I wrote to Jawed Anwar to seek his perspective and clarification, if any, but he didn't respond to my repeated requests.
Before this Trojan Horse can enter the gates of mainstream Toronto and Ontario politics by the ever-eager diversity-seeking politicians, perhaps you, the voters need to know what the Islamic Party of Ontario claims to desire in Canada, according to their posted principles and policies.
Establish Islam as the natural religion of Ontario.
Quash LGBTQ rights because "God made Adam and Eve –not Adam and Steve."
A complete ban on abortion except in a situation when a mother's life is in danger.End the concept of "gender identity" or "seven-colour gender," a false concept.
Ban liquor, drugs, adultery, and gambling.
Happy New Year Canada. Let us weed out the merchants of misery who seek death as a means of salvation.
Tarek Fatah, a founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress and columnist at the Toronto Sun, is a Robert J. and Abby B. Levine Fellow at the Middle East Forum.
