AN ATTACK ON ANY RELIGION IS AN ATTACK ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION
March 2006

The Canadian Peace Alliance is opposed to the publication of cartoons showing negative depictions of the Prophet Mohammed, as we are opposed to any negative depiction of a religion or race as a whole. We are particularly concerned that these images would be reproduced in Canada, a country that wishes to prove itself inclusive and multicultural. The fact that the cartoons were re-published here by a former colleague of our new Prime Minister is even more alarming.

Freedom cannot be maintained without respect for minority rights, or it becomes the rule of the strong. The publishing of these cartoons is an example of a misuse of freedom of expression and commitment to a double standard. The same paper which initially published these cartoons had decided against printing cartoons with negative depictions of Jesus just a year before because they felt it would have been offensive. To then print an attack on Muslims without the same consideration is wrong. In fact, it is racism.

We have heard from the mainstream press and their pundits that the reaction to the cartoon publication is excessive. The peace movement knows that these reactions cannot be divorced from the context of 20 years of aggressive war against people in predominantly Muslim nations. In Iraq, for example, 200,000 people were killed during the first gulf war, 1 million more were starved to death under UN sanctions and another 100,000 have been murdered in George Bush's latest war. The question then becomes: at what point will the anger of Muslims be allowed? How many hundreds of thousands more must be killed before we accept that anger as justified and make serious attempts at dialogue and reconciliation.

The United States and its allies have demonized Islam, painting all Muslims with the same brush in an attempt to further justify their wars of aggression. This is nothing new. For centuries, nations and races have tried to characterize their enemies are less than human thus providing an excuse for slavery and murder.

The people of Canada, whether Muslim, Christian, Jewish or atheist, have heard enough about Abu Grahib, and Guantanamo Bay, and secret detention facilities and torture committed in the name of advancing freedom. People are being thrown in prison in this country without charge and without trial simply for being Muslim.

We will only have true security when all people are respected for their differences and valued for their contributions to humanity.

ISLAM IS NOT THE ENEMY - WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER!


The Canadian Peace Alliance is Canada's largest peace network with 140 member groups representing 4 million people.

www.acp-cpa.ca * cpa@web.ca * 416-588-5555

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