Remembrance Day too Is Claimed by the Muslim/Palestinian Lobby

"It has come to my attention that the inclusion of the song "Haza Salam' in the program caused significant distress to some members of our school community. For this, I would like to offer my apologies."

"We acknowledge that Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion, where the focus should remain on honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we hold dear."

"The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school." 

"We recognize that the song chosen -- while intended to highlight themes of peace -- also inadvertently caused offence and discomfort to some students, and for that, we regret our choice."

Sir Robert Borden school principal Aaron Hobbs, letter to parents

"It is hard to believe I'm hearing this at an assembly in Canada for Remembrance Day."

"It was weird. I was confused. What is this song saying?"

Unnamed student

"There was only one song. There were no other ethnic songs, or other songs, just one. It was played three times."

"They chose an Arabic song about peace for Gaza as the only song to play for a Remembrance Day service."

Unnamed parent

"I have a great uncle who was in the war, in the air force, and he was shot down over Italy and taken prisoner. This service took away from the events of the war, it took away for the sacrifices of my great uncle and others. I became very emotional."

"This day is supposed to be about remembrance. When I think of everything my uncle went through and still survived and went on to raise a family -- my child got none of that at school today."

"It [the school Remembrance Day ceremony] ignored my great uncle's memory. It is not inclusive when  you are excluding others."

Erica Phillips, mother of student enrolled in the school

 

The school principal, when first approached for an explanation, seemed fairly flippant, saying that the song had been recommended to him by one of his teaching staff, and that in the interests of inclusiveness he felt it was a good idea to give it air, to the exclusion of any other music to highlight the traditional Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11. It was, in fact, a Palestinian protest anthem, closely associated with the anti-Israel movement. On YouTube, recordings are accompanied by "Free Palestine" imagery. You can't get more exclusionary and political than that.

While defending the song's premier place on the school's program for Remembrance Day as a method of bringing "diversity and inclusion" to the ceremony, the resulting push-back from parents and local MPP Lisa MacLeod, and perhaps a bit of a talk-to from school board administrators who view this as  yet another headache in  the public eye, he reverted to an attitude that appears on the surface to be contrite. MPP MacLeod wrote on Facebook in condemnation of the situation: "To my Jewish constituents, I am sorry your kids are going through this."

 

The decision to use an Arabic-language Palestinian protest song for the Remembrance Day presentation soundtrack certainly did not sit well with Jewish students, nor their parents, and possibly other Canadian traditionalists who honour Canada's war dead and its veterans. A slide show of Canadian soldiers and expressions of peace had the song, Haza Salam (This is Peace) as the background music for different student age groups in three distinct ceremonies at the school. Some of the Jewish students complained to the principal following the event. 

But the principal chose to defend the selection, stating the purpose of diversity and inclusion to an annual event usually featuring "a white guy who has done something related to the military" was a prompt. A 'closed door' meeting soon afterward appeared to have influenced the man to send the school community an email of apology. A few students had made use of a phone app to find the song on music platforms with artwork of Palestinian protests.

 

The song by Mahim Ahmed was released shortly following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on southern Israel, led by Hamas. It is identified with protests by Palestinians centering around Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian terrorist groups like Islamic Jihad, PLFP and Hamas. And by extension, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Versions of the song online featured in videos show montages of photographs of Gaza casualties, along with Palestinian protests. There is no one in Canada innocent of the knowledge of Palestinian victimhood protests.

"No one would allow a song in Hebrew to be played, even if it was called Shalom (Peace), at a Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony."

"It should have been a song in English or French or an Indigenous language."

"Something is wrong at the top."

Unnamed (Jewish) parent

When principal Hobbs was approached by Jewish students who reproached him for the inclusion of an Arab protest-against-Israel song at a Canadian war memorial event, he defended the choice by disagreeing that there was any problem with the song and its central place in the ceremony. The song, explained Lisa MacLeod MPP for the riding of Nepean, failed to agree with the Royal Canadian Legion protocols, besides being distressing to Jewish students.

 

She described speaking with the director of the school board where she "shared my anger, disappointment and, honestly, utter confusion on how Remembrance Day at a school whose namesake was prime minister in World War 1 could get this so wrong." And she took the further step of recommending disciplinary action against the principal. 

 

Hear, hear! Apology and dismissal would do nicely to begin with. MPP MacLeod describes the situation as a “politically charged” move that was “done at the most populated Jewish school in Ottawa”. Unfortunately, the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East do not agree.

"The selective outrage and swift backlash reveal a troubling double standard that unfairly targets Palestinian and Arabic cultural expression, framing it as inherently controversial or politically charged."

"[The song’s title translates to] This is Peace [and its selection] does not equate to endorsing a political stance."

Jamila Ewais, CJPME Foundation’s anti-racism program

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said it is conducting a 'thorough investigation' into the including of an Arabic song during a Remembrance Day ceremony at Sir Robert Borden High School earlier this week. (Google Maps)