Churches in Canada call to stand against rising Islamophobia

Monday 26 Oct 2015 - 11:30 Makkah mean time-13-1-1437

(Image from OnIslam)

Toronto, (IINA) - Churches and faith groups in Canada are calling on all Canadians, including the media and politicians, to take a stand against the rising bigotry and discrimination in the country against Muslims, OnIslam reported.
“Quakers are appalled at the bigotry and discrimination we see targeting the diverse members of the Muslim faith in Canada,” stated a letter issued by the Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers) last week. “We call on all Canadians to stand against this.”
The letter is signed by Lana Robinson, a clerk at the Canadian Friends Service Committee, and Elaine Bishop, the presiding clerk at the Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
“We cannot help but think that deeply divisive and harmful political rhetoric is one of the drivers of this growing hostility. We are witnesses to scapegoating of Muslims, which distracts from the many significant issues this country faces,” writes Robinson and Bishop.
"We ask our politicians and news media to take firm stands against Islamophobia, hate, racism, division and inequity."
The letter calls for initiatives across Canada to foster understanding among citizens.
“To retain and strengthen its multicultural identity, Canada needs to increase educational and intercultural dialogue initiatives that will foster understanding and share accurate information about our diverse communities," it reads.
“We support the right of individuals to choose to wear the clothing that they feel is appropriate to them, including the hijab, burka or niqab. Human rights, such as the right to religious expression, are of critical importance. When human rights are taken away for any Canadian, rights are effectively made vulnerable for all.
"We recognize that the niqab has been worn by some Muslim women in Canada for decades and it is neither new nor a threat. We encourage those who are afraid of the clothing or customs of their Muslim neighbours to remain calm and to examine the real sources of their discomfort,” added the Quakers’ letter.
It is noteworthy that on October 9, Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, wrote a letter to members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church expressing concern about the discourse in the country surrounding niqab.
“I am troubled by the recent tone of national debate regarding the right of Muslim women in Canada to choose to wear the niqab,” Rev. Johnson wrote.
“Behind these heated debates and these veils are individual human beings whose human dignity and human rights must be respected and protected.
“The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms names freedom of conscience and religion first among the “fundamental rights” of the people of this land.”
“I call on the members of our church, our civic leaders, those currently seeking federal office, and all the citizens of this land to treat the strangers in our midst, and those whom we will welcome as refugees as we would like to be treated, and to respect the dignity of every human being.”
SM/IINA

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