Calgary realtor and Alberta multiculturalism council member who resigned over antisemitic posts apologizes

A Calgary realtor who resigned from Alberta’s new multiculturalism council this week is apologizing for sharing an antisemitic image on social media.

Tariq Khan offered his resignation to Premier Danielle Smith after the Opposition NDP resurrected the posts, asking Smith to remove him from the new Council on Multiculturalism.

Smith’s office released a short statement saying the premier “denounces all forms of intolerance and hate” and that she accepted his resignation.

In Khan’s apology to the Jewish community, he says that he understood his actions were insensitive, inappropriate, and that they caused deep hurt.

“At the time, I was new to social media and did not fully understand the consequences of my actions,” Khan said in an emailed statement late Tuesday.

“I shared many posts that came across my social media feed without considering the impact it could have on others.”

CityNews received screen grabs from the Alberta NDP of what look to be posts shared on Khan’s Facebook account.

The opposition also provided a letter from the UCP in 2018, rejecting him as a nominee over the Facebook posts.

The letter from the UCP executive director Janice Harrington says a video Khan shared that labels the Holocaust a “hoax” was “highly offensive.”

“While I recognize that people can have a legitimate political debate on the practices of the Israeli Government, these posts go well beyond that and delve into antisemitism and Holocaust denial —  values that have no place in our party,” the statement from 2018 reads.

“As such, I must inform you that the Nominations Committee has determined that you (Khan) are ineligible to stand for a UCP nomination contest.”

Read More: Alberta multiculturalism council member resigns after antisemitic posts resurface

Khan said he doesn’t recall sharing such a video.

“I do want to state very clearly that I have always viewed the Holocaust as a real and terrible tragedy that took the lives of six million-plus Jewish people,” he said.

Another post shared with CityNews is is of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the Star of David on his forehead. That graphic image also depicted a bloodied child.

Khan called it “a grave mistake” and said he regrets not taking the time to educate himself on the importance of social media responsibility.

Another post showed Khan seeming to praise Afzal Guru, who was convicted for his role in the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament.

Khan said the posts that resurfaced from a decade ago have affected him and his family, adding that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions and would reach out to the community to renew the relationship.

He was one of 30 members appointed to the panel Friday.

Smith announced the council to promote cultural diversity and inclusiveness in the province.

The Office of the Premier reiterated the same statement Wednesday when Khan resigned.