THE CANADIAN ISLAMIC CONGRESS
MEDIA COMMUNIQUE - April 15, 2003

CIC URGING CRTC TO ALLOW AL-JAZEERAH ON CANADIAN CABLE NETWORKS

The Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) has issued a statement asking that the CRTC approve Canadian TV cable companies who apply to carry the Al-Jazeerah Arabic satellite news network.

"It is a matter of morals and principles," said Dr. Mohamed Elmasry, national president of the Canadian Islamic Congress. "There are two Canadian rights which must be upheld here -- freedom of speech, and freedom of religion."

Al-Jazeerah is a 24-hour-a-day satellite TV news network which carries some of the most comprehensive news, current affairs, educational, and religious programming in Arabic. Many international media experts have ranked Al-Jazeerah in the same category as longer-established television networks such as CNN, BBC, and CBC. The size of the Canadian market for Al-Jazeerah is over one million households.

"Canadian Muslims who are not Arabic-speaking will then be able to watch high quality Islamic programming with English subtitles," added CIC national vice-president, Mrs. Wahida Valiante.

CONTACT:
Dr. Mohamed Elmasry
(519) 888-4567 Ext. 3753 (O)
(519) 746-7928 (H)

Mrs. Wahida Valiante
(905) 881-8024