Editor:
Canadians have strongly condemned the brutal massacre of Muslims praying at two New Zealand mosques, showing their solidarity through acts of love in vigils, flowers and sympathetic messages shared across social media.
Attendees of all ethnic groups of people at Vancouver Art Gallery remind us of our vulnerability as human beings in this time of division. It is critical that we stand together as a single humanity.
Extremism is neither based on sound principles of religion, nor does it respect multicultural or pluralistic ethos of a nation. Neither is confined to a particular community or country. Terrorism is a menace to humanity.
Every one of us opposes any act that fragments us, including racism, bigotry and violence against any members of society – the central tenet of our religion being peace, love and compassion.
This is not the first time, but in past whenever any tragedy has happened around us, Canadians have come out to support and show empathy towards the victimized community.
They placed bouquets of flowers at mosques and various community city places with a reciprocating message that we are all human beings created in the image of the same Almighty.
How beautiful that they care and share sentiments with dignity and decorum.
It is a way to exhibit solidarity. Through mutual understanding and love we can enhance an effort to establish permanent peace and communal harmony among us.
Hanif A. Patel, Surrey
