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Canada: The fuss over motion 103 was unnecessary and worrisome

March 30, 2017March 30, 2017
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Canada: The fuss over motion 103 was unnecessary and worrisome
By Abubakar N. Kasim
Liberal MP Iqra Khalid ought to be commended for introducing a non binding motion which didn’t demand anything more than the basic expectation everyone expects: to be protected from hatred. This motion is important for understanding the extent of Islamophobia in Canada, as well as systemic racism and religious discrimination. It directs parliamentarians to find evidence-based strategies to confront hatred in all its forms using a whole of government approach and to ensure all communities remain safe and welcoming for all.
 Iqra Khalid, Liberal MP


Many of us continue to feel deeply saddened and troubled by the Quebec City mosque terror attack that claimed the lives of six Canadian Muslims and injured many. MP Iqra Khalid’s action helps to remind all Canadians that Islamophobia – the irrational fear and hatred of Muslims – is not welcome in our beautiful country. Those who opposed this motion blew things out of proportion and created a monster out of this innocent initiative which doesn’t undermine our freedom of expression as they made it to appear so. 

This fierce opposition makes me worried about the hatred against my community
(Muslim community) which is growing even among the educated and respected members of the society. One doesn’t expect to see high ranking officials within the Conservative party whom one expects to stand tall for justice abandoning their own values and principles. 

What worries me the most is the fact that these educated people can include a police officer, a nurse, a doctor whom we trust our life with, and judges. MP. Khalid received unprecedented backlash including death threats and threat of violence as she had once told the House of Commons. 

Prejudice overpowers the minds of a person and affects his or her judgment. The switch of intellect and objectivity is turned off when a cloud of prejudice covers the mind. One can’t see things the way they are anymore and his sense of reasoning is affected. Such a person cannot make a sound judgment due to the influence of prejudice. 

No one is immune even high ranking politicians who opposed this innocent motion which didn’t pose any harm to anyone. 

Even if another symbolic motion was brought forward to make it official and permit Muslims from accessing air for breathing purposes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see protesters against it. In this climate of fear I would not be surprised to see a PhD student writing his thesis about the need to kill all Muslims to save the planet or to refuse Muslims from treatment at hospitals to save money. 

To see educated people especially those holding high ranking positions opposing this bill is an unhealthy sign. Society ought to challenge those who choose to hate to rehabilitate themselves into accepting those who don’t look like them.  
 
The fuss was unnecessary and worrisome at the same time. It was uncalled for. The blind opposition was a result of the anti-Muslim sentiment that is prevailing in the society. It shows that when a community is marginalized, even a small token of positive reflection is vehemently opposed. Even if a motion was introduced to make it official that all oceans can be accessed by all Muslims at any day of the week  and water from its resources including rain can be accessed, used and drank by members of the Muslim faith. You will see how many people including academics, politicians who will stand arm to oppose it.
 
When hate against a community reaches a boiling point, the results can be catastrophic as harming them can be considered as part of the game.  Hitler would not have been able to do what he did against millions of Jews without first dehumanizing the people.
 
The dehumanization of any community must stop. We should remember that things could change over time. If you forsake a particular community today, tomorrow it could be your turn and you should not expect anyone to shed tears for you. 
Abubakar N. Kasim
Toronto, Ontario
Email: akasim88@yahoo.com

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