The Good News Is...
Assimilation goes beyond partaking of the enhanced opportunities available in a democratic, secular country which views all of its citizens as being equally worthy under the laws governing the country. Acceptance of a tolerant attitude, respecting the rights of others to practise their religion, to remain true to the customs of their countries of origin, to continue to practise cultural, ethnic or tribal customs, which do not impinge on the rights of others, nor betray the laws of their current country of residence has an obligation attached to it, and that is to respect the equal rights of other citizens whose country of origin is "other" to do the same. If such freedoms, enhanced by greater economic opportunities and freedom from oppression is insufficient to satisfy migrants, then rather than make attempts to alter social and cultural and traditional mores of the new country to more acceptably reflect their own, leaving the country of adoption to return to the country of origin is a reasonable option.Canada has been extremely fortunate in its history of accepting emigrants fleeing political instability, civil wars, oppression of minorities and economic depression in their home countries, in that such immigrants have managed to adapt to the Canadian reality, its values and customs, political system and culture. These earlier waves of immigrants have had to struggle to find their way in a country often entirely different than those they left, learning a new language, new customs, establishing a new home. By and large the various ethnic communities have learned to tolerate the presence of others, who in other geographies, other times, represented a potential threat to their well being through ethnic or cultural or religious rivalries.
In the last several years a different potential has arisen to thwart the peace among various constituencies of this country, where intolerant bigots have brought their personal and collective sense of grievance against another community with them, to their adopted country. And in the process created a havoc of criminal intent resulting in terrorist acts. At the present time the country is absorbed with the spectacle of a potentially new threat to its stability; the advent of home-grown terrorists espousing a jihadist cause in the name of Islam.
The vast majority of peace-loving, moderate Muslims have remained on the sidelines, while the news media have advised that Canada, among other western countries, has been infiltrated by radical agents of Islam whose purpose it is to completely destabilize western countries dominated by religious groups other than Islamic ones, by any means possible, including bombing key governmental structures and civil institutions resulting in mass murders. Canadians are generally puzzled at this turn of events, and are doubtless joined in a general feeling of consternation and threat by most Muslims who cleave, as do most Canadians, to this country and its values.
Yet there remains numerous religious institutions practising Islam who, though they refute the very thought of Muslims being at such bitter odds with other religions and western countries' governments, insist that they have the right to practise Islam as they see fit, as is most befitting followers of the Prophet Muhammad. They have a perfect right to do so, since religious tolerance is one of the hallmarks of a civil society. But when an unusual and very welcome coalition of disparate religious and rights groups joins forces to persuade the Government of Canada to exclude a visitor to the country whose purpose is known to deliberatly sow discord, and who is noted as a racist propagandist, something is both right, and wrong.
It is right and proper and downright good news that a Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and gay-rights coalition joined forces to ensure that a known and published religious war-monger not enter the country to spread his poison among impressionable young Muslim youth. It is extremely bad news that, despite recent events in Toronto where 17 suspected Muslim terrorists were recently apprehended, the Islamic Foundation of Toronto has demonstrated an utter lack of sensitivity and respect toward other groups within the community, in inviting such a speaker to one of its educational colloqiums.
Worse, the bad news is that this group, understanding well that the Government of Canada has refused to admit entry to Sheikh Riyadh Ul-Haq, circumvented the direct purpose of the denial of entry by allowing this speaker to address its conference by video conference. Thus effectively denying the authority of the Government of Canada, and the legitimate concerns of communities within the country whom this man has identified as enemies of Islam. And in the process encouraging young Muslims within the community which the Islamic Foundation of Toronto serves, to respect and admire the views of this corrupting influence.
Truly, is this the manner in which a responsible group of Muslims reacts to recent turn of events within this country? British Prime Minister Tony Blair has addresed British Muslims on this very matter, emphasizing their responsibility toward their adopted country, telling them that Islamic extremism cannot be defeated solely through the efforts of government. Muslims of good will and sound intent need to speak up, to defend the countries in which they now live, to deny the extremists their podiums and their corroding influence on the young.
It isn't happening. Not yet. If not now, when?
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, July 06, 2006
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