Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre says the city will refuse to issue a permit for the opening of a community centre led by Imam Hamza Chaoui. Coderre made his announcement today (Saturday, January 31, 2015) in the face of mounting alarm over the teachings of Chaoui, a Moroccan cleric who claims democracy and Islam cannot co-exist and that women should not be allowed out of the house without a male guardian. For any rational Canadian it is laughable — except the Imam means it. “This individual is an agent of radicalization,” Coderre said at a press conference Saturday. The mayor was accompanied by political leaders from the neighbourhood where the Imam had planned to build the centre. Coderre said there must be a balance between “openness and vigilance” and Chaoui’s beliefs don’t reflect the views of the majority of Montreal Muslims. Earlier, Real Menard, the mayor of the Montreal suburb of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisoneuve, said no occupancy permit would be granted to Chaoui. “It is my mayoral duty not to make a gesture that would provide a forum to the Imam,” he said. “This is a case of public safety and public order.” Coderre said he had consulted with Montreal police to determine if Chaoui was a threat to public safety. On Friday, Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil called Chaoui’s opinions “totally unacceptable in a democratic society, which obviously promotes equality between men and women,” and rejects homophobia. The public concern is easily understood as Canada — and the world — grapple with concerns about the recruitment of citizens into the killing brigades of ISIS and other radical groups Chaoui has never been accused of advocating violence but his teachings as a high leader of the religion seem alarming. Such views form fertile ground for radicalization. They are certainly alien to the Constitution. Chaoui’s background has so far been little reported upon and the facts of his arrival in this country are not yet widely known.