TORONTO — Farzana Baig says she is angry a book has surfaced in Toronto that advises Muslim men how to make their wives submissive through violence.The book called A Gift for Muslim Couple — which was being sold at Islamic Books and Souvenirs on Gerrard St. E. — advises men on “punishing women and the manner to discipline them” by restraints, scoldings and beatings.

“It is not like that in our community. This is upsetting. A wrong thing against our community. My husband doesn’t beat me. I haven’t heard of this. If it happens it is rare,” Baig said.

Her husband, a vice-president with Sunni mosque Jame Masjid Mississauga, had not heard of the book but plans to investigate on Monday.

“This is totally wrong. It should not be and I don’t know what to say. This doesn’t represent our community and I will look into it. This isn’t proper reading and it shouldn’t be out there. It makes the whole community look wrong,” he said.

Wasim Vania, president of the Islamic Society of Toronto, also condemns the book.

“We were the first religion to give power to women. It is sad that someone would write this. We don’t have hatred in our hearts and we don’t teach this. That book should have never entered Canada,” Vania said.

“It is a sad day to find such a book in Canada. As humans we can’t control everything but we should be able to control what goes on a book shelf. We as Canadian Muslims have respect for women. No gender is higher than the other. It is sad to find material like this and it should be pulled.”

The book is an insult to the Muslim community said Mohammed with the Muslim Welfare Centre, who asked his last name not be used.

“I have never heard of something like this. I’m surprised it was published and I am angry to be portrayed in this light,” he said.