The group organizing the annual Al-Quds Day rally in Toronto is taking legal action against Premier Doug Ford for defamation. The Al Quds Outreach Committee Toronto has filed a lawsuit against Ford, claiming that his remarks about the rally were driven by malice and exhibited racist undertones. This legal action stems from comments made by Ford in a video posted on YouTube in March, where he denounced the rally as a platform for promoting hate, antisemitism, violence, and terrorism.
Following his comments, Ford sought an injunction to halt the rally, but the application was denied by a judge, prompting Ford to express disappointment on social media. The lawsuit alleges that Ford’s statements have portrayed the rally in a misleading and offensive manner, suggesting racial bias against the event and its participants. The lawsuit is seeking $27,500 in damages from Ford, who has reiterated his stance on the rally, emphasizing that it fosters antisemitism, hatred, intimidation, and the glorification of terrorism.
Al-Quds Day, traditionally observed on the last Friday of Ramadan, serves as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestine. The 2026 rally also advocated for peace in Iran and Lebanon. The event’s name, derived from the Arabic term for Jerusalem, has been a subject of controversy, especially due to its origins in post-revolutionary Iran in 1979.
Ali Mallah, a member of the Toronto Al Quds committee, has clarified that the rally does not endorse violence and condemns any form of terrorism or violence against places of worship or institutions. The rally proceeded despite calls for an injunction, with Toronto police increasing their presence in the rally area.