Well isn’t this an interesting scenario? We say in Canada that we are so “tolerate” of others and their beliefs. Being of a faith minded person myself, growing up in an Evangelical Church, I found this to be an interesting and thought provoking situation. In Newmarket, Ontario, locals have become “concerned” over the building of a mosque in the community. The concern is focused around Zafar Bangash, president of the Islamic Society of York Region. Zafar Bangash has said a lot of things, however I always question when sentences are taken from here and there without the full context. Also, we must remember that we are a free society and at some level we have to protect that freedom. I find it interesting is the discussion revolves around his political views. Even though Canada is a free society we cannot allow those who would foster hateful words towards any group to continue unchallenged. There is a way to combat this hatred by dialog. If someone hates another group removing them from the country, without combating their beliefs only allow that person to go somewhere else to do the same.
There is a reason I wrote the title ‘the Fear and Intolerance’. You see in some ways, it’s true! We do fear and we are not as tolerance as we think, in Canada. We claim that we are tolerant; however I bet that we are actually driven by fear. Let’s not get bent out of shape now! We get so ‘defensive’ when someone says “you are ignorant” or maybe “intolerant”. However, maybe we should just ask “are you scared”? We are a great multicultural society that tolerates all backgrounds. Or do we? What we really see is a community, like many others, that is changing. People tend to fear change. What was more disenchanting was that fact that “Pastor Davis suggested Newmarket council consult the Ontario Human Rights Commission for guidance regarding this mosque”. Please, stick to preaching the Word of God Pastor Davis. Let God do the work and reach people, not rules and regulations. Are we so ‘righteous now? So holy and just are we! What if someone applied the same rules and asked the Ontario Human Rights Commission to outline strict ‘guidelines’ for the Church, as a whole. Even the Church has a checkered past, not that we love to talk about it. I wonder what would happen if the same principles were applied to Protestant Churches that spew unnecessary fear and hatred from the pulpit. Or is it that, they are more like Canada, so they are exempt from criticism? I often have to wonder. We label what we ‘think’ we know and actually know nothing about it.
Canada is a free and democratic country. If the people of Newmarket, and other towns for the matter, were to take time to listen to the concerns of others we would be a much better society. “Are we afraid”, there is no shame in it. At least it’s a start to the discussion. If we value freedom, then let the mosque be built. However, if we value ‘fear’ then by all means only allow Protestant Churches or Canadian organizations that look and feel like Canada, whatever that might be. It’s unfortunate because we are seeing this type of ignorance and intolerance across Canada. I know that some are now saying “no I’m not intolerant or ignorant”; however we all have to take a look in the mirror from time-to-time.
With this being Black History month, we do not have to look too far back to a time when African-Canadians were looked upon as a ‘lower class’ or even ‘in-human’. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s true! How about how Canadian Sikhs and the discrimination they faced? How about Chinese-Canadians and their treatment in Canadian society, from our past? How about the Irish? And let’s not forget Jewish Canadians, along with others who have and still face discrimination today. Was ‘Mahar Arar’, just not Canadian enough? What if that was you?
http://live.canoe.ca/Words/News/YourSay/2007/01/12/3321922.html
So recently in Quebec, in the article “Quebec town outlines societal 'norms' for would-be immigrants”, discrimination and ignorance was well served.
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/070129/n012979A.html
The declaration by ‘The Town council of Herouxville’, reeks of sheer insults to immigrants (as a whole), and is a complete embarrassment to Canada. What is interesting is that this is not some other country, this is right in Canada. We must endeavor to not be ignorant of other cultures that come to enrich Canada and our democracy. On the same foot, immigrants must try to assimilate to Canadian society. That is an issue that I know many Canadians have a hard time with, since there is a general feeling that immigrants are not trying to assimilate into the Canadian culture. However, that problem is more linked to multiculturalism and that is best served in another article. Mr. Zafar Bangash, along with many others must be challenged through dialog and talk. We must reconcile, somehow. We must learn how to be better Canadians. If we continue down this path I fear that we will tear apart at the seams. Just because someone, who does not look like us (whatever us is now), moves in it does not mean we have to move out. We are Canadians of many colours. We can learn from one another and discuss our opinions freely; not in fear. In the end maybe we can spread a little Canada to the rest of the world and make it look more like us? Canada does not only belong to those who “sailed here” first. It actually belongs to those who were here first; however that’s another topic for another day.
