Breadcrumb Trail Links
Majid Shahadat was denied access to a service because of his religion, said the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal in its decision
Published Apr 22, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
B.C. Human Rights Tribunal
A former Northern B.C. massage school has been ordered to pay $12,500 for Islamophobic claims against a Muslim man.
In January 2019, Majid Shahadat, who identifies as Muslim and has lived in Canada for 25 years, booked a lymphatic massage treatment online with the Northern School of Spa Therapies in Fort St. John, said the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal decision issued on April 17.
Advertisement 2
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
or
Article content
Article content
That night, the director of the school, Joyce Middleton, wrote him an email requesting “credentials” and asking him to “certify you are not of the Islamic faith, which as you know has earned a bad reputation for raping and killing of infidels in Canada and elsewhere.”
Three days later, she sent a second email saying they are not accepting “new male clients that we do not know” because “we have to protect our students, who happen to be all girls at this time.” She referred him to another male massage therapist.
“As a result of Ms. Middleton’s discriminatory views, Mr. Shahadat was denied access to a service ordinarily available to the public, based on his religion, place of origin, ancestry, and colour,” said tribunal member Devyn Cousineau in the decision. “This denial was a violation of his dignity and an affront to B.C.’s commitment to an equitable society.”
Middleton did not participate in the hearing, but submitted a written statement.
In her previous submissions to dismiss Shahadat’s application, Middleton argued she was not racist, but was afraid of Shahadat.
Advertisement 3
Article content
In the decision, she said she was entitled to protect herself and the “young girls” who work at the school.
She said her risk assessment was based on “world news, police reports, country statistics, excerpts directly from the Qur’an,” including references to “evidence of Islamists killing, raping and torturing Nigerian women and children over Christmas 2023.”
To justify her assessment that Shahadat posed a potential risk to her and her students, Middleton relied on “misinformation from what appear to be far-right, anti-Muslim, internet websites,” said Cousineau, and relied on the stereotype of vilification of Muslim people with no factual basis.
Cousineau said it is apparent Middleton truly believes the Qur’an promotes violence against women, children and non-Muslims and she is free to hold these views “as repugnant as others might find them.
“However, if she wants to run a business in British Columbia that serves the public, she cannot use those discriminatory views to decide who she will serve,” she said.
She ordered the school and Middleton to pay $10,000 for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect and another $2,500 for improper conduct for exposing Shahadat to further discrimination and inflammatory anti-Muslim propaganda in her submissions and for threatening to sue him in B.C. Supreme Court.
[email protected]
x.com/cherylchan
Recommended from Editorial
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments
Join the Conversation
This Week in Flyers
Adblock test (Why?)
- News
- Local News
Majid Shahadat was denied access to a service because of his religion, said the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal in its decision
Published Apr 22, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
B.C. Human Rights Tribunal
Article content
A former Northern B.C. massage school has been ordered to pay $12,500 for Islamophobic claims against a Muslim man.
In January 2019, Majid Shahadat, who identifies as Muslim and has lived in Canada for 25 years, booked a lymphatic massage treatment online with the Northern School of Spa Therapies in Fort St. John, said the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal decision issued on April 17.
Advertisement 2
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Article content
That night, the director of the school, Joyce Middleton, wrote him an email requesting “credentials” and asking him to “certify you are not of the Islamic faith, which as you know has earned a bad reputation for raping and killing of infidels in Canada and elsewhere.”
Three days later, she sent a second email saying they are not accepting “new male clients that we do not know” because “we have to protect our students, who happen to be all girls at this time.” She referred him to another male massage therapist.
“As a result of Ms. Middleton’s discriminatory views, Mr. Shahadat was denied access to a service ordinarily available to the public, based on his religion, place of origin, ancestry, and colour,” said tribunal member Devyn Cousineau in the decision. “This denial was a violation of his dignity and an affront to B.C.’s commitment to an equitable society.”
Middleton did not participate in the hearing, but submitted a written statement.
In her previous submissions to dismiss Shahadat’s application, Middleton argued she was not racist, but was afraid of Shahadat.
Advertisement 3
Article content
In the decision, she said she was entitled to protect herself and the “young girls” who work at the school.
She said her risk assessment was based on “world news, police reports, country statistics, excerpts directly from the Qur’an,” including references to “evidence of Islamists killing, raping and torturing Nigerian women and children over Christmas 2023.”
To justify her assessment that Shahadat posed a potential risk to her and her students, Middleton relied on “misinformation from what appear to be far-right, anti-Muslim, internet websites,” said Cousineau, and relied on the stereotype of vilification of Muslim people with no factual basis.
Cousineau said it is apparent Middleton truly believes the Qur’an promotes violence against women, children and non-Muslims and she is free to hold these views “as repugnant as others might find them.
“However, if she wants to run a business in British Columbia that serves the public, she cannot use those discriminatory views to decide who she will serve,” she said.
She ordered the school and Middleton to pay $10,000 for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect and another $2,500 for improper conduct for exposing Shahadat to further discrimination and inflammatory anti-Muslim propaganda in her submissions and for threatening to sue him in B.C. Supreme Court.
[email protected]
x.com/cherylchan
Recommended from Editorial
Maple Ridge woman files discrimination suit against co-op after disputes with contractors
B.C. prisoner's complaint of religious discrimination allowed to proceed, while another about Nike shoes dismissed again
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments
Join the Conversation
This Week in Flyers
Adblock test (Why?)
4271 Sheppard Avenue east 
❣Wednesday, 
❣ Sofia, tall and slim, experienced touch that will have you relaxed and feeling energized.
Mimi, very small in stature. Pretty. Great service. 
416 293-5071
416-817-3366
Table Shower Sea Salt Bath Body Scrub
Japanese girl Nina 
Natural Big Boobs 38 DD 
Babe Amy! SPECIAL PROMO 30 MINS 2 GIRLS $70 
HELEN AND APPLE
, 
. Call us at 
️New girl Angela ,so young Petite and pretty
open service 
Korean 
Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates and special services ! 
Click Here Today
♀
Ultimate destination for Asian massages
Two fab spots: SL Richmond Hill & SL West Oakville
Aliyah, Lucy, Cindy, Yui, new Jojo, Coco, Cici, busty Amber, Kelly & Jasmine 
Ring us 
647-578-8169
Where Eastern charm meets Western comfort - your bliss awai
CANDY, 
VANESSA, 
MEGAN (2AM), 
JULIE (8PM)
View Schedule:
Booking Now:
ELINA, 
MADY (1PM)
JENNY’S SPA
ETOBICOKE ONTARIO M9A 1C4
NEW GIRLS EVERYDAY
30 Minutes Nude Mass
Wonder spa,(9421Jane st unit127)call416-5000-800
sexy very young girl Mimi，long legs ,natural c cup,very good looking amazing massage nice body slide,really popular 
long hair Lucy Q smile,very good looking ,strong to relax oil ,back walk,more experience,relief your pain,amazing ending
𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓔𝓥𝓔𝓡 𝓢𝓟𝓐
𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓢𝓹𝓪
: CHRISTINA, JENNY, TIFFANY & VIVI. 1270 Finch Ave W (at Keele St), Unit 18. North York. 
647-891-9688 or 416-291-8879
, 
Hit up 647-695-6354
or text to 
all awesome massage 
SONIA (8PM), 
