Muslim Coordinating Council of National Capital Region of Canada strongly condemns attack on imambargah in Shikarpur
OTTAWA: The Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region (MCC-NCR) of Canada strongly condemns the attack on the imambargah in Shikarpur that left a large number of people dead or severely injured. This heinous attack is part of a pattern of violence against Shias in Pakistan that involves targeting of their places of worship and individuals of certain professions, particularly physicians, in the city of Karachi. The members of the Hazara community in Balochistan are constantly targeted as well. Attacks on religious minorities by the Taliban and other sectarian groups violate the teachings of Islam, which emphasise justice, compassion, peace, respect for all people and freedom of religious belief. Islam and all other great religions teach us that humankind is one family, created by the same loving God. Those targeting innocent people are criminals, whatever their professed faith.
We note that other religious minorities, notably Hindus and Christians, have also been targets in brutal attacks by extremists. The massacre of children and staff at the Army Public School in Peshawar and earlier attacks on shrines of Sufi saints show that extremists have now made all citizens of Pakistan their targets. The MCC-NCR calls on the government of Pakistan to take effective measures for the protection of the people of Pakistan, and of their places of worship from sectarian and terrorist attacks. We pray for peace, freedom, security, justice, compassion and brotherhood throughout the world.
The MCC-NCR represents more than 40 Muslim organisations, including youth, women, as well as other groups in the Muslim community in the National Capital Region in Canada. It seeks to assist the most vulnerable in the community and to engage with Canadians of all faiths to promote mutual understanding and our common welfare.
Tariq Ahsan
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2015.
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