Last week, I reserved my right on a point of privilege, and today I rise to speak about it. We are blessed to live in the most beautiful province, home to the most diverse community — the province built by the people who came before us on the fundamental values of equality, justice and fairness for all British Columbians. These principles are fundamental to Canadian society. We believe in treating people equally, regardless of race or place of origin. This is the people’s House, this beautiful House, and it is our job as the representatives of the people to lift people up, not put them down.
On May 16, the member for Richmond-Queensborough told the Minister of Citizens’ Services: “she is an MLA for Surrey-Panorama, not Islamabad North.” The member also claimed some of these individuals were on security watch lists.
This allegation was repeated outside of the House by other B.C. Liberal MLAs, including the Opposition House Leader, who took it even further by saying these people were “on the U.S. terror watch list.”
The Pakistani community is very upset and offended as a result of the comments made by B.C. Liberals inside this House and outside this House. The Pakistan Canada Association said that they were disappointed by these comments because they “feed into a troubling Islamophobia narrative.” The Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association said that the comments “have outraged and offended the Pakistani community.” They note that “his fellow Liberal MLAs clapped to show support for his inappropriate statements.”
The Pakistani community has made extraordinary contributions to this province, and they deserve respect from all members of this House. Therefore, the member for Richmond-Queensborough must not only retract but apologize to the members of the Pakistani community that he has hurt.
Spirit of Ramadan
By: Mehboob Hajee
I Iusually go to break my fast at a masjid not far from where I live. My wife works at night cleaning buildings, so she made one humble request: to bring her some food so that she could also break her fast. Sounds reasonable, correct?
After I finish eating, I usually grab an extra paper plate to put something for my wife and carry it out to my car.
A few days ago, this one gentleman approaches me as I am putting a few morsels on a plate to tell me that he has been observing me take food out, and really berated me for doing so. I patiently explained to him that my wife works late and I was merely taking some food for her.
He really said a few things. I mentioned to him to mind his own business, but he just kept on.
Next day, I related the matter to the Imam, and he must have had a word with him, as, the next day he changed his tune.(“ Why don’t you also take some of …… for her?”)
I thought that was it, so I continued to take food for my wife, as usual, with the full permission from the Imam.
Yesterday, another man decided to be “too good” and derided me for the same act. He even went further to grab my plate from my hands, and dump all the food back into the respective containers.
I could not talk to the Imam at that time, as he was busy in Nafl prayers.
Is this the spirit the Muslims display at such occaissions? Shame on them! These are the kinds of people that give Islam a bad name.
