Maryam Monsef, Canadian minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development, called the Taliban ‘brothers’ during an online press meet. She said ”I want to take this opportunity to speak to our brothers, the Taliban, ensure the safe and secure passage of any individual in Afghanistan out of the country.”
”We call on you to immediately stop the violence, the genocide, the femicide, the destruction of infrastructure, including heritage buildings. We call on you to return immediately to return to the peace-keeping table, to the peace deal that was negotiated, and to ensure that women and minority voices are part of that discussion in a meaningful way.”
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Her statement went viral with netizens demanding an explanation behind this wording and many national and international officials called her out.
No one should be surprised that Maryam Monsef considers the Taliban ‘our brothers’. Her boss admires China’s dictatorship and Castro. He’s turning into a wannabe tyrant.
It’s just another proof that today’s woke Left has an authoritarian mindset.
pic.twitter.com/N2CysAgVMi— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) August 25, 2021
Due to the intense responses, especially on social media, Monsef issued a clarification saying that “brothers” was used as a ”cultural reference”. Despite her response, she was heavily bashed.
As a Canadian who moved to this country as an Afghan refugee, I want to be very clear, there is no cultural context in which calling the Taliban “brothers” is acceptable. Words carry meaning, and meanings imply moral positions.#cdnpoli #Afghanistan #Taliban #maryammonsef https://t.co/P0D2ufB8e3
— Zahra Sultani | زارا سلطانی (@zahrasultani_) August 25, 2021
Dear Canada: Maryam Monsef decided to make a plea directly to the Taliban – calling on them to allow safe passage to the airport. She's using the language that she, as an Afghan-Canadian, feels would be most effective. Can we do the politics and point-scoring later? https://t.co/otz2Xi5Mgh
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) August 25, 2021
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This woman is still in Afghanistan and she has a message for Maryam Mansef.
Your “brothers” rape and kill us here in Afghanistan and that is why we are still stuck at home.
Canadian Minister Maryam Monsef referred to the Taliban as "our brothers" pic.twitter.com/KIGB5ly7wV
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) August 25, 2021
Hi @MaryamMonsef ,
Let me introduce you to our brothers and sisters.
Unlike the Taliban, they're not around anymore to hear your message. But feel free to write to their loved ones.
👉 https://t.co/5NBD8081ed#cdnpoli #elxn44 pic.twitter.com/SHsRwpfZej
— David Lepage (@LepageDavid) August 25, 2021
Maryam Monsef is an Afghan-Canadian who is the first one to be a member of parliament in Canada’s history and also the first Muslim to work as a Minister in the federal cabinet of Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that Canada would continue its efforts and engagement in Afghanistan. He also said that the Canadian government would “put pressure on the Taliban” for the safety of the evacuees coming into Canada from the war-torn country.
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“We will ensure that in the coming months and years, we bring over 20000 Afghans to their new homes in Canada,” the Prime Minister said Canada has so far evacuated around 3,700 Canadian and Afghan citizens.
I have been to many speeches and discussions with Erin O'Toole.
He is consistently genuine, heartfelt and thoughtful.
I'd feel confident as a Canadian with Erin as our Prime Minister #Cdnpoli #elxn44 https://t.co/MP46FzzaSk
— Laryssa Waler 🌻 Лариса Валєр (@LWaler) August 27, 2021
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