Islamic talk in Happy Valley-Goose Bay draws small audience

Amid massive online controversyover bringing Syrian refugees to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, a talk this week in the townby a member of Canada's Ahmadiyya Muslim community drew a small crowd.

"The whole purpose of these talks is to raise the awareness about what are the real teachings of Islam," said Fazal Malik, who lives in P.E.I. but travels extensively speaking on issues surrounding Islam.

• Yvonne Jones slams 'very racist, very hateful' comments against Syrian refugees

"Very few people actually have a chance to speak to, or ask questions directly to a Muslim. That's what brings me to Labrador," Malik told Labrador Morning.

"We thought we would reach out, and knock on the door, and say 'hello, this is who we are'. This is just an effort to get closer to our neighbours across Canada."

Malik gave the talk "Is Islam a threat to Canada?" at severalstops in Labrador this week, but few people attended in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, with just 10 people in the audience Wednesday evening.

'My heart hurts'

Two audience members who were in the crowd were dismayed by recent anti-refugee online posts, and a petition circulating to stop any potential refugees from coming through 5 Wing Goose Bay.

"My heart hurts," said Diane Climenage, after scrollingthrough such posts on social media.

"I think the more education we can share with our childrenabout what's happening inthe world, and what's happening in our own community, will lessen their fear, lessen their anxiety, and help them be more accepting."

Climenhage brought her 15-year-old son to the talk.

"You can't complain if you'renot educated about it. And this was the perfect opportunity to be educated. They just missed their chance, said Matt Climenhage.

"I wanted to support any community event that promotes dialogue on things that we don't know much about," added Diane Climenhage.

Speaking onCBC'sCrossTalkThursday,LabradorMP Yvonne Jones said similar sentiments are playing out across Canada.

"While there might be some people in Labrador that might be opposed tobringing in Syrian refugees, that's nodifferentthan people being opposed in any region of the country. We're not an anomaly here," said Jones.

"There is tremendous support in Labrador as well, to bring in Syrian refugees."

Resettling refugees

"Ithink yes, absolutely, we should take in refugees.That's the right thing to do, that's the humanitarian thing to do," said Malik,

He said he understood people's fears thatterrorists could come to Canada among the refugees, but that wasn't an excuse to deny help.

"It basically means we need to be more vigilant," said Malik.

"We have always put our faith in the Canadian services, the border services, the security services. To those people who have some apprehensions, Isay, but your trust back in those services."

After the talk, Matt Climenage agreed.

"Ijust don't think people would leave a war, to start a war," he said.