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2017 Year end reflections
12-26-2017
This is the time of the year we relax, enjoying holidays, spending time with our loved ones. This is also a time for reflection. We realize we have countless reasons to be grateful, and countless of time we may have just fallen short by not utilizing our resources and abilities to its full capacity. This is the time we make new resolutions for 2018.
The one story that made headlines around the world right at the start of 2017 was the senseless shooting at a mosque in Quebec. During a funeral oration for victims of last January’s Quebec City mosque massacre, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that “we will rise from this darkness stronger and more unified than ever before. That is who we are.”
Majority of the Canadians overwhelmingly denounced the act of terrorism carried out against worshippers at the Mosque. Dozens of white ribbons have been tied around street poles and trees lining Roncesvalles Avenue in a show of support for the city’s Muslim community. Women in the town of Fort McMurray came out to show their supports for Muslims by wearing hijab.
Colin Walmsley, a popular Rhode Island scholar, researcher, writer penned an article headlining his concerns, “Solidarity With Muslims Must Last Long After The Headlines Fade.”
Therefore, now a year later as Canadian Muslims reflect back they could partially be forgiven for wondering whether the PM’s self-assured paean to tolerance is, in fact, “who we are.” As reports after reports confirm that, although Canadians hold positive views about Islam and Muslims. Yet, Islamophobia in Canada is on the rise, and more and more Canadians look at their fellow Canadian Muslims suspiciously.
The question we need to reflect upon is who can we blame for this rise in Islamophobia in Canada. The answer lies within all of us. We have failed terribly in highlighting the positive contribution and additions Canadian Muslims make to this wonderful multicultural mosaic. If there is one resolution which we all need to make is to make an affirm promise to ourselves that in the interests of our collective welfare and for the future of our children we will make positive, meaningful, and recognizable contribution to the Canadian Society that can change the negative impressions our fellow Canadians have about us.
February and March 2017 were merely an extension of January attack on the Mosque, as Liberal MP Iqra Khalid’s motion, M-103, asking Canadian to study the rise, causes and effects of Islamophobia in Canada headed to the House of Commons for debate and vote.
MP Iqra Khalid herself became the target of dis domination and received threats against herself.
The House of Commons has passed M-103, a non-binding motion condemning Islamophobia and religious discrimination. All NDP and nearly all Liberal MPs supported the motion, which passed 201-91. The majority of Conservative MPs voted against the motion.
Among other top headlines in Canada which captured the world’s attention pertaining to Canadian Muslims was Quebec Liberal government banning full face veils (Niqab) when receiving public service. NCCM and Canadian Civil Liberties have filed a challenge at the Supreme Court as violation of the Charters Rights. Although, most public service unions have directed their members not to discriminate against women who wear face veils. This is yet to be seen how it unfolds at the Supreme Court. Federal Liberals, and PM Justine Trudeau, in past had taken a very aggressive stance against such legislations, have now adopted near silence on this issue.
Than there was a lone single terrorist attack by Somali refugee Abdulahi Hasan Sharif in Edmonton. “He faces 11 charges, including five counts of attempted murder after an Edmonton police officer was hit by a car and stabbed on Sept. 30, before a truck plowed into people walking a busy street. Four people were injured,” reported CBC.
Other notable news which drew loads of criticism, were financial settlement and an apology offered by the Canadian government to three Canadians, who were subjected to rendition torture) in Syria by Canadian official. In October 2008, an inquiry led by former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci found Canadian officials contributed to the torture of Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati and Muayyed Nureddin by sharing information with foreign agencies.
In 2017, the Canadian government also settled the civil suit by another Canadian citizen, Omar Khadr, who was captured in Afghanistan and tortured in Guantanamo Bay by the U.S. official as a child soldier.
In both above instances, the Liberal government and PM has defended the government’s decision to ensure that no future government would engage in such venture, in abandoning and subjecting Canadian citizens to torture.
In politics, Jagmeet Singh, became the new elected leader to lead the federal NDP, who acknowledges a wide support from the Canadian Muslims.
Among other news, AlAmeen Post celebrated its 15 anniversary, and BCMA elected a youthful President, Iltaf sahib.
No matter how good or bad year 2017 may have been. There were more good than bad. However, there is plenty of work needed to be done, and we encourage our readers to start playing a greater role in community’s affairs – get involved!
Get involved at your local mosques. Get involved and start making positive and recognizable contributions to the Canadian society to overcome the shadow of doubts which are being perpetuated at us by bias western media.
At the end, we are extremely grateful to our readers from making us your number one choice to obtain community news for staying connected. We are grateful to our contributing writers, editorial board members, and as always, the most important instrument behind our success – our advertisers. Our advertisers are the real force behind us in getting the important news and highlighting issues for our readers. It is their unconditional support which gives us the ability to continue providing this valuable service to our community. Thank you all.
Wishing everyone a prosperous and a happy new year.
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