OTTAWA – Canada’s Muslim community felt the embrace of an outpouring of support Friday in the wake of stinging personal attacks against a member of Parliament who sponsored a motion to condemn and combat Islamophobia, even as negative reaction to the Liberal-backed proposition appeared to escalate.

Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, who this week fronted the Liberal party’s blessing of the motion, known as M-103, was met by expletive-laced condemnation on social media from outraged Canadians.

Joly’s Facebook account was peppered with derogatory, sexually demeaning and threatening messages.

“No offence but I’m so sick of all you white Liberals selling your (expletive) for Islam,” one post read.

Others made denigrating remarks about Muslims.

As the online vitriol was being unleashed, images emerged on Twitter of a short-lived anti-Muslim protest outside Masjid Toronto showing demonstrators being watched by police as they carried signs reading “Ban Islam” and Muslims are terrorists.” No one at the mosque could be immediately reached for comment.

MORE:    http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/national_news/article_1fad05be-23cd-5ecf-bbd9-1fd03966aec5.html