Harding’s sentencing delayed
By
Kevin Heinrichs
ChristianWeek staff
TORONTO–Mark Harding, the evangelist to Muslims convicted in June of inciting hatred, suffered a heart attack July 11, days before he was to be sentenced on July 15.
The attack delays the sentencing, which could still result in a six-month jail term. A hearing is scheduled for September 11 to discuss Harding’s health condition and determine a new sentencing date.
Further complicating the legal proceedings is the recent appointment of his lawyer, Bruce Durno, to the position of judge, leaving Harding to seek other legal counsel.
Meanwhile, Harding, 43, is recovering at his home in Thornbury, Ont., three hours north of Toronto. He is expected to make a full recovery. "We don’t understand the reasoning, but I leave my soul and life in God’s hands," says Harding.
He says the heart attack, ironically, has given him "a bit of a breather." Forbidden by his doctor to do much physical activity, Harding says he has a lot of energy and "I can hardly wait to get out of the gate."
Unrepentant
He remains unrepentant about his evangelism style, or about his public statements about the dangers of the Muslim faith.
He was found guilty earlier this summer of inciting hatred against Muslims. The charges stemmed from an incident in June 1997 when he handed out pamphlets outside Weston Collegiate Institute in Toronto that accused Muslims of being "terrorists" and "anti-Christs."
He became the third Canadian ever to be convicted of the crime after having pleaded not guilty. Harding, who makes his living as a cabinet maker, spent 60 percent of his time aggressively evangelizing Muslims before his legal troubles began last year.
Calling his proceedings a "kangaroo court," Harding says the judge refused to listen to Harding’s reasoning that he actually loves Muslims and wants them to be saved, but only wants to warn people of the "corrupting influence" of the Muslim faith.
He plans to appeal the ruling.
Meanwhile, he continues his weekly radio broadcasts on a Toronto radio station, warning listeners "that the school system is being infiltrated by Muslims." He cites incidents of Muslims praying in schools, handing out copies of the Koran and "essentially turning a gymnasium into a mosque."
In addition to the court hearings, he is also fighting a Canadian Human Rights complaint put forward by the Islamic Information Centre.
