Sometimes, information flowing down the grapevine might include some sour grapes.
Following Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at (AMJ) Canada hosting more than 20,000 people during their first full-scale three-day Jalsa Salana convention at their rural 3078 Line 11 property in Bradford last July, the group has been facing push-back from residents and council over plans to again host the same event in 2025.
Since a Jan. 14 public meeting about AMJ’s updated approach intended to address resident concerns over their proposed 2025 Jalsa Salana event, BradfordToday has been looking into various issues and accusations raised during and following the meeting.
This is what we found.
‘Gag orders’
During the meeting, Angelle Jakac repeatedly claimed that Bradford residents who disagree with AMJ are facing “gag orders,” preventing them from speaking out, but did not provide further details, such as who was facing said orders. Following the meeting, multiple residents suggested this was in connection to an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), which decided in favour of approving a cemetery at AMJ’s property at 3999 Sideroad 10 — the site borders the north side of the property at 3078 Line 11.
However, none of the parties opposed to the cemetery were willing to provide comment about any potential legal correspondence preventing them from speaking out. Even when offered the opportunity for anonymity within the article if they could provide evidence of said orders, they were either unwilling to comment or did not return multiple requests for comment.
In response to the allegations, Safwan Choudhry, director of media relations for AMJ, said the group has not issued any such orders.
“We respect the right of individuals to express their opinions,” he said via email.
Local spending
Following the Sept. 17 council meeting, at which Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu read a list of local businesses supported by AMJ ahead of and during the 2024 event, Ward 4 Coun. Joseph Giordano claimed during the Oct. 1 council meeting that multiple businesses reached out to him to say AMJ had not actually spent money with them. After the meeting, Giordano declined to say which businesses made the claim.
Since then, AMJ has provided BradfordToday with receipts showing they did make purchases from each of the businesses Sandhu listed during the Sept. 17 meeting, which included: Home Depot, Battlefield Rental, The Sarjeant Co., Gwillimdale Farms, Petro Canada, Tim Hortons, Osmow's, Walmart, Dollarama, Canadian Tire and Bradford Rental.
Other receipts also show purchases from Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery on Yonge Street, and Revision Landscaping in Innisfil.
“We are committed to supporting the Bradford business community, and we work with businesses of all sizes throughout the year,” Choudhry said.
Temporary cell tower
During the Jan. 14 meeting, Andy Karistinos questioned the legitimacy of the temporary cellular communications tower set up during the 2024 event, even claiming he had spoken with Rogers and they denied any involvement.
However, Laura Crochetiere, senior manager of communications for Rogers, confirmed the company did provide a cell on wheels (COW) mobile tower, at AMJ’s request, to help provide additional capacity to the network — not only to help people remain connected at the event, but also to ensure network availability for emergency services.
That tower was set up on behalf of Rogers under their existing licence for wireless spectrum and in accordance with all applicable regulations and protocols from the federal government’s department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, according to Crochetiere.
She also explained crews usually begin installing and testing those mobile towers three to five days ahead of planned events, with the removal process usually taking about the same time after event ends.
In the face of unsupported allegations, Choudhry said AMJ remains committed to transparency and open communication.
“We encourage anyone with specific questions or concerns to contact us directly so we can address them factually,” he said.
Other locations
One of the suggestions raised on multiple occasions from both residents and councillors was for AMJ to consider hosting the event at designated event venues, such as Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte. While Asif Khan, national director of public relations for AMJ, has previously explained the group already investigated and ruled out that option, Choudhry elaborated further that the group wants to establish a permanent, dedicated home for their premier event.
“Members of our community have consistently expressed a strong preference for hosting the Jalsa Salana at a community-owned venue, particularly in Bradford — a town with a vibrant and significant Ahmadi Muslim presence,” he said.
The International Centre
While they were unwilling to comment on the record, some residents claimed AMJ’s interest in the Bradford location was the result of no longer being permitted to use the International Centre in Mississauga where the group regularly hosts multiple events and has hosted the convention in the past, including as recently as 2023.
Representatives from the International Centre, including marketing vice-president Sandra Martin, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. However, Choudhry says AMJ has not received communication from representatives of the venue that states or suggests the group is barred from hosting the convention or other events at that location.
“AMJ takes pride in its relationships and is grateful for the support provided by various venues across Canada for events of all sizes throughout the year, including (the) International Centre,” he said.
EV chargers
Matthew Keenan also reached out with concerns over the cost and location following the Ontario government’s Nov. 13 announcement it would be building six electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at AMJ’s 3999 Sideroad 10 property, which is in a rural area and features few amenities.
According to a Nov. 12 release, those six are included in more than 1,300 stations proposed to be installed outside of large urban centres intended to increase access in small- and medium-sized communities in Ontario.
While the release notes those 1,300 stations are part of a $63-million investment, Tanya Blazina, a representative for the Ministry of Transportation, explained the exact amount of funding allocated to each individual project can vary, and some sites were approved to ensure an “equitable geographic distribution” of chargers across the province.
“The government is committed to improving EV charging infrastructure and reducing range anxiety for drivers,” she said via email.
The province’s EV ChargeOn Team is expected to monitor ongoing compliance for approved stations. That includes site access for five years after the chargers are installed and operational. Chargers are required to be publicly accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
While the property is planned for future development — including a six-hectare burial site and 929-square-metre place of assembly — Choudhry explained AMJ has not finalized plans for potential chargers.
“While we agreed in principle that there is a need for public chargers, we have not accepted any funds or approved any installations,” he said.
‘Mega’ event policy
On Jan. 21, committee of the whole recommended council approve changes to the town’s special events bylaw which would prohibit events of more than 2,000 people from occurring more than once every 10 years on any property outside the settlement boundary, Highway 400 employment lands or town-owned lands.
That’s also proposed to be effective retroactively to 2024, which would prevent AMJ from hosting the 2025 convention on their Bradford properties.
That was based on an amendment from Ward 3 Coun. Ben Verkaik, who explained he was trying to “protect our agricultural lands for what they’re intended.”
However, Mayor James Leduc worried the decision could be made “out of spite,” and in reaction to public response to the proposed 2025 convention.
Meanwhile, Choudhry said AMJ has been “actively engaged” with their neighbours, both through individual visits and community gatherings, to hear their perspectives.
“The overwhelming majority of our immediate neighbours, as well as residents of Bradford more broadly, have expressed their support for the Jalsa Salana,” he said, pointing to an online petition which launched Dec. 4 and has gathered more than 1,900 signatures in support of hosting the 2025 convention in Bradford.
When it comes to the topic of the 2025 convention, Choudhry suggested residents should be cautious of accusations and rumours swirling in the Bradford community.
“We believe it is important to base discussions on verified information and not unproven allegations,” he said, adding AMJ are proud of their contributions to the community and always open to constructive dialogue.
Representatives of AMJ and some members of council in favour of hosting the convention in Bradford have regularly noted that AMJ’s United Kingdom branch also hosts its annual event on farmland in that country, where they also worked to overcome logistical issues and initial opposition through community outreach and consultation with local officials.
Bradford council is set to make a decision on Tuesday evening regarding committee’s Jan. 21 recommendation.