Secure Canada's International Muslim Counter-Voice Initiative
The International Muslim Counter-Voice Initiative (IMCVI) is a cross-continental initiative born from the urgent need to reclaim Muslim civic identity, religious integrity, and public representation from the ideological grip of Islamism.
This initiative is ultimately focused on shaping public discourse in a strategic manner. It is a key ingredient in Secure Canada’s fight against Islamist extremism, or Islamism.
ISLAMISM ≠ ISLAM
What is Islam?
Islam is one of the world's major world religions and the fastest growing, with nearly two million followers in Canada alone. It encompasses a diverse range of beliefs, traditions, and practices, reflecting the cultural and historical influences of different regions. The vast majority of Canadian Muslims practice their faith in a manner that is entirely compatible with the country’s democratic values, including the separation of religion from government, respect for pluralism and the rule of law.
For most, Islam is a personal faith, a spiritual path centered on prayer, charity, morality, and service to others—not political power.
What is Islamism?
Islamism (as defined by Islamists themselves) is a contemporary political ideology, distinct from other interpretations of Islam, that blends an expansionist and eliminational religious doctrine with governance. It seeks to impose a particular interpretation of Islamic law on society, often advancing positions, policies, and processes that enable the undermining and eventual replacement of secular, democratic systems.
Islamists promote an agenda that misrepresents Islam as inherently political and claim to speak for all Muslims. They often exploit multicultural values to shield their views from criticism and brand dissenters—including Muslims who reject their ideology—as Islamophobic. This creates a false narrative that marginalizes diverse Muslim voices.
Left wing revolutionary ideologies, ever-present in academic, educational, media, and cultural spaces, aid in the proliferation and empowerment of Islamist ideology and tactics.​​
Recognizing and challenging this manipulation is essential to protect democratic values and ensure inclusive representation.
Islamism is an existential threat to Canada, the West, and Muslim communities.
Why is it critical to make the distinction
between Islam and Islamism?
By recognizing the crucial difference between Islam (the faith) and Islamism (the political ideology) we can better help preserve the integrity of Islam while addressing the very real challenges posed by extremist ideologies that cloak themselves in the language of the Quran.
What is the International Muslim
Counter-Voice Initiative?
Recruitment and Empowerment
Secure Canada is working with Muslim leaders who are publicly and unequivocally opposed to extremism, antisemitism, and terrorism. We support, empower, and amplify a vital Muslim counter-voice that aims to promote respect for Western values, foster true interfaith collaboration, and counteract extremist influence in Canada and beyond.
This multi-pronged movement will shelter Muslim voices who brave the risks of speaking out against extremism within their own communities.
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The MCVI builds on Secure Canada's long standing tradition of nurturing alliances in the fight against extremism.