Tonight I grieve for the families of those men killed and injured at a mosque in Quebec City, Canada. It will take a good deal of time and investigation to discover why a young white Quebecer would take it upon himself to murder people while in prayer. Call it a hate crime, an act of terror or a lone wolf-attack, it makes no difference to those unfortunate families and communities. Answers may only bring more questions. Is this a sign of our troubled times?
I am also outraged that a spokesman for the Trump administration would use this horrendous crime to justify the recent ban imposed on persons from seven predominantly Muslim countries with respect to entry into the U.S. If anything, Trump’s actions are inciting certain ultra-right wing groups, including white supremacists, to act against persons of other religions. Trump’s actions are the epitome of islamophobia. He is playing into the hands of not only radical Islamic groups, but also white supremacists in North America, Europe and elsewhere. For this reason, one cannot justify what Trump did in terms of protecting national security.
As described in Wikipedia, Islamophobia refers to fear, prejudice, hatred or dislike directed against Islam or Muslims, or towards Islamic politics or culture. There is no place in Canada for promoting such hatred, as evidenced by the sympathies sent to and the support for the families of this tragic event coming from Canadians representing all walks of life, religions and regions of the country.
I may not be a practicing Christian, but I believe in Christian values, especially that of loving one’s neighbour. Ours is a society that values tolerance, respect and inclusion. Today, Trump cannot in all sincerity call himself a Christian by turning his back on refugees and immigrants from these war-torn countries. Let’s hope that he and others will turn off their propaganda machines. Otherwise, such tragedies as that in Quebec City will continue to be a sad reflection of our times.
FROLITICKS 