www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 3, 2006 - 3 Ward 4 candidate says he is target of smear campaign Continued from page 1 2007 Lineup Of ABLES · POOL TABLES BILLIARD ACCESSORIES · DART BOARDS CABINETS · POKER TABLES CHIPS CARDS · AIR HOCKEY BUBBLE HOCKEY · FOOSBALL · SHUFFLEBOARD Jewish, Christian, Buddhist or whatever the case may be. "It's not my understanding that religion is an issue that compromises someone's ability to serve the public," said Gareau, noting the cliché goes that you don't discuss two things at dinner -- religion and politics. Gareau said inclusion of his Muslim name, his business and community involvement in the Muslim community would have immediately indicated his religion. "There aren't many people who are outlining their religious activities," said Gareau of other candidates. He prefers voters would consider his proven leadership experience and his contributions to the Oakville community. "Bringing religion into it, not openly criticizing religion because that would be taboo, someone has brought up my name thing, but it's the same thing," said Gareau. Gareau, whose campaign website touts honesty and integrity, said he has even included on his campaign website information about an accident he suffered as a young man because he wants people to know who he is. However he doesn't believe a person's religion is relevant to their experience or community contributions when standing for election. "I have never had a hidden agenda or anything like that. This usage of my Muslim name has been public for many years, going back 12 years," said Gareau. "I just didn't think of bringing up something that is irrelevant. Now that religion seems to be a relevant issue for some reason, I believe Oakville people will vote for the right person for the job, vote for someone who has been involved in the community," said Gareau. The candidate said municipal politics is non-partisan and is about individuals serving their community. Despite extensively highlighting his business and community service qualifications, Gareau doesn't spell out his Muslim connections in campaign literature or on his campaign website, votejeff.ca. He does outline both on the website he uses for conducting business with the Muslim community, nointerest.ca, in which he is named as Jaafer Syed and described as a specialist in Shariah law-compliant investment, which adheres to strict Islamic criteria. He said his two names are duly noted with the Ontario Securities Commission, his firm, W.H. Stuart, securities commissions in other provinces and by default the R.C.M.P. and police. The Bonnybank Court resident works as a financial consultant with W. H. Stuart & Associates from a home-based office. He also works as a financial advisor specializing in Halal investment and finance advice and is, on his related website, described as a sought-after specialist in Shariah-compliant investment. He has appeared and been quoted as such, using the name Jaafer Syed, in Report on Business Television, Salam Canada, The Globe and Mail, Investment Executive, and the Toronto Star. Gareau said that everything was exactly the same when he first sought the Ward 4 Town council seat in 2003 -- and it never became an issue. Gareau won an Oakville Community Spirit Award in 2005 -- Individual Volunteer of the Year -- for his volunteer work, which includes service as director and president of MADD Halton/Peel Region from 20032005, has been vice-chair of the Parks and Rec Advisory Committee, a director on the Oakville Chamber of Commerce board, chair of Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion, chair of the Halton Easter Seals District Council and a head soccer coach. He has also been an active member of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) for a decade and is currently sitting as assistant secretary Halton/Peel Unit responsible for Al-Falah as well as Brothers' Co-ordinator for New Muslims in Halton/Peel Region. Under the name Syed, Gareau is director for the Islamic Social Services and Resource Association (ISSRA); served as a co-producer and guest host of Radio Islam; and was events co-ordinator for the first and second Muslim Family Day events at Canada's Wonderland. He was also a founding member of the planning and fundraising teams of the local Al-Falah Islamic Centre. For the purposes of dealing with the Muslim community, Gareau outlines all his qualifications and uses the name Syed. For the purposes of the election, he is using his legal "The fact that people in the Muslim community refer to me as Jaafer Syed is absolutely irrelevant." Ward 4 Council candidate Jeff Gareau name Gareau and sticking to mainstream business and community qualifications. Gareau said the national newspaper that covered his two names had been provided with both names when he was previously interviewed. He said it garnered no coverage during the 2003 municipal election campaign. "I am qualified and willing to serve in the Oakville community as I have been doing for many years. The fact that people in the Muslim community refer to me as Jaafer Syed is absolutely irrelevant," stated Gareau. "I think it is essential that we deal with facts and not innuendos. The fact remains that I am very involved in the community that I live. My efforts and contributions are tangible. The fact is that I con- duct a lot of business in the Muslim community. I have knowledge and expertise with respect to investment and financial products specifically marketed to the Muslim community," said Gareau. "Further, the simple fact is that we live in a diverse society and the Anglicization of names is common so why is the reverse of significance or relevance? My Muslim clients are comfortable in referring to me as Jaafer Syed. Frankly, I find it sad that in Canada, a country where freedom of religion is enshrined by our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, our media finds it newsworthy simply that myself or members of my family are Muslim. I believe that the people of Oakville are intelligent and ethical individuals who are not interested in judging my capabilities on the basis of one's religion or the identity of Muslims as a market segment that I do a significant amount of work for in my workplace," said Gareau. -- Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. · POOL TABLES BILLIARD ACCESSORIES · DART BOARDS CABINETS · POKER TABLES CHIPS CARDS · AIR HOCKEY BUBBLE HOCKEY · FOOSBALL · SHUFFLEBOARD SALE $699 SALE $849 STERN PIN CARROM S · NASCAR · GRA · LORD OF THE · PIRATES OF CARIBBEA REGULAR $1699 SALE $5999 SALE $1299 CONNELLY 8' WINSLOW INCLUDES A SALE $5699 SALE $4699 CONNELLY SA · Solid Hardwood · Ball and Claw or Rams Head Legs · Available in Oak or Maple · Available in 5 Stain Colours · Your Choice in Cloth Colours E INCLUDING: CUES, BALLS, RACKS, LIGHTS, WALL ART, ECT. PLUS A FULL ASSORTMENT OF DARTS, BOARDS, CABINETS EGULAR 4,999 SALE $2,999 E $2,000 ALL AT 20% OFF BEACHCOMBER... 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