respect for multiculturalism

Submitted by Sidda (United States), Feb 13, 2006 at 17:31

Nuray, thank you for your lecture on how Western countries need to be more mindful of their "responsibilities" to be multicultural. Especially when we can all see how the Muslim world, particularly the Middle East, has such respect and tolerance for their minorities. Why all religions absolutely thrive there, don't they? I mean all those churches and Buddhist and Hindu temples just sprouting up in Saudi Arabia, Coptic Christians and Maronites are not leaving Egypt and Lebanon in droves? Sharia law is being imposed on Christians in Nigeria, Buddhists are under attack in Thailand. Oh my.

Now, listen to this and listen well: immigration to any country, yes even Western countries, is a PRIVILEGE not a RIGHT. Meaning we do not have any obligation whatsoever to let everyone in who wants to come in. We also have the right to insist that people who come assimilate and adopt the core values of our country; we are under no obligation to adopt THEIR values. Yes, we are tolerant and try to accommodate different cultures. Do not mistake this for weakness. Diversity can be a real strength for a country, but only when the immigrant group respects and embraces the CORE VALUES, in our case, freedom of speech, press, expression, religion, women's rights, and rule of law and democracy (not Sharia law). Do not push us.

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