Re: All faiths must fight anti-Muslim actions, Farber, April 2

All faiths must fight anti-Muslim actions, Farber, April 2

Very well written! The Muslim community is peaceful and proud of their adopted country of Canada. We live in a democracy and people have every right to express their opinion, but the extreme hatred shown by some is very tragic. People can get hurt by such behaviour, which seriously violates Canadian values of tolerance, compassion, decency and respect for each other. Such extremists must be exposed.

Rafat Khan, Mississauga

Tolerance and respect for diversity are the products of equal treatment, not special treatment. And that, not bigotry, is why 47 per cent of Canadians opposed motion 103.

Kat Duffy, Mississauga

Three cheers for Bernie Farber’s clarion call to stand tall against Islamophobia. Farber shines a public spotlight on the dismal failure by the leadership of all faith and religious communities to unite against anti-Muslim stereotyping, racism and oppression.

Actual or wilful ignorance of the fact that violent extremists have hijacked Islam must never excuse attacks against all Muslims or the desecration of the Qur’an.

We need effective, bold and courageous moral leadership by all faith communities, along with the heads of all public and private health, education and social services, all levels of government and all non-governmental organizations — to let our Muslim neighbours know they are not alone.

In this season of Passover, we are reminded of the teaching: “Do no oppress the stranger!” If we allow our leaders to remain silent, then we are complicit in the racist stereotyping and oppression against all Muslims.

Ben Carniol, professor emeritus, Ryerson University, Toronto

Bernie Farber has written a timely and extremely important column in asking faith leaders to publicly stand and support Muslim Canadians.

If Canadian values mean anything at all, surely they mean rising forcefully and decisively to the defence of the right of all Canadians, including Muslims, to live and pray free of fear and hate.

It is especially incumbent upon faith leaders, regardless of religion or denomination, to speak out clearly against the rising climate of Islamophobia and all who propagate it.

Rima Berns-McGown, Toronto

The United Church of Canada couldn’t agree more with Bernie Farber’s commentary. Locally, United Church congregations are reaching out to the Muslim community with acts of solidarity, from posting messages of support on their signboards and organizing interfaith vigils to distributing lawn signs that welcome their Muslim neighbours.

Last month, the church’s moderator, the Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell, addressed the rising tide of violence and discrimination rooted in racial and religious bigotry in a pastoral letter issued in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Racism.

She said, “If we give in to fears based on religious or racial grounds, we will be providing fertile ground for hate and extremism to flourish.”

Without a doubt, it is time for all of us to stand together to heal the brokenness that fractures our communities and forge bonds of friendship and co-operation.

Catherine Rodd, acting general secretary, The United Church of Canada, Toronto

Bravo for Bernie Farber’s column. Mr. Farber called for Canadian religious leaders to denounce anti-Muslim actions. I believe many Canadian religious leaders have done this. However, because Canada is more and more a secular society, the important messages of religious leaders are often not found in the mainstream media.

As an example, top leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada made a public statement on Jan. 30 condemning the tragic shooting of “our brothers in worship at the Quebec City mosque last evening.”

For the past few years, top Mormon leaders have discussed the importance of religious freedom for everyone.

On April 1 and 2, the Mormon Church held its general conference, which is broadcast worldwide. More than one Mormon leader talked about guarding against hate and bigotry and to be inclusive.

During the past few years, the Mormon Church has spent millions of dollars worldwide in helping Syrian refugees and other refugees obtain food, clothing and shelter.

Ken Sisler, Newmarket