Canadian principles

Submitted by Alex (Malaysia), Mar 11, 2010 at 23:49

With respect Angela, I am Canadian myself. Born and raised in Toronto, I am disturbed by your Republican-esque views on how to engage Muslim-European communities and encourage cultural assimilation. I do not recall Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau conditionalizing his government's policy of multiculturalism. Canada was founded on tolerance - if the English had decided to suppress French Canadian culture and religion instead of allowing a peaceful withdraw of French troops, Canada would not be the country it is today. Cultural assimilation requires time. While I do agree with limiting the spread of Islamism and Muslim influence in the public sphere (banning headscarfs, banning mosques, banning Islamic schools), I would draw line at encourage emigration. If we are to gain public support in the Muslim world, then modernizing and moderation (read: Westernizing) Muslims in the West should be our foremost priority.

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