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Pepper Spray of Love and Compassion
1-12-2016
On Friday, January 8th, Muslim Association of Canada, Vancouver Chapter, held a welcoming party for the newly arrived Syrian Refugees. The event was full of joy and optimism, attended by Members of Parliament and City of Vancouver officials. Ms. Jenny Kwan and Mr. Don Davies, as t welcomed them into Canada, giving hope and optimism to them whom have suffered tremendously over past few years. That was the best of Canada.
Approximately one hundred Syrian Refugees guests while waiting to be departed, were boarding the bus when they faced the ugliness of the bigots that harbour ill will in their hearts towards them. Someone in a hoodie, riding a bicycle, pepper sprayed the newly arrived. Approximately thirty people suffered minor injuries, mainly women and children. To say the least, this are the reminiscence of Harper era bigotry at best!
However, the actions and drum beats of bigots were silenced in a unique Canadian way. Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Canadians from all walks of life came together along with the Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Justin Trudeau, Vancouver Mayor, Mr. Gregor Robertson, the BC Government, Vancouver Police Department, Police Chief Mr. Adam Palmer, the RCMP, and BC Ambulance Services all banded together to denounce and outpouring of support.
The strongest words came from the PMO, summarizing the sentiments of the majority of Canadians, “I condemn the attack on Syrian refugees in Vancouver. This isn't who we are - and doesn't reflect the warm welcome Canadians have offered.”
Mayor Robertson, also reinforced PM’s statement, “Last night’s pepper spray incident was a disgusting display of hate - and Vancouver won’t stand for it. #VanWelcomesRefugees and always will.”
However, the most significant role has been undertaken by the VPD, Police Chief, Mr. Palmer. VPD was the first one to arrive, assisting the victims. All of whom were treated at the site by BC Ambulance Services Personnel.
The next day, Mr. Palmer personally fielded the questions from the reporters, deeming this incident as a “Hate Crime,” stating, “its very troubling to me as these people are all new to Canada, and we want to make sure they settle in properly, and are not treated like this.” The official statement assuring all resources being utilized to assist the victims and arrest the perpetrator of this heinous crime. The statement read, “This is a very troubling situation, as the actions of one man have shed a negative light on the positive work being done to welcome the Syrian refugees into our community.
In addition, AlAmeen Editorial Board Members met with some of the victims who expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from across the country. What was remarkable on the part of the law enforcement agencies, VPD and RCMP is that within twenty-four hours of the incident, the Police met with all Syrian Refugees that have arrived in BC thus far, whether they were present at the event or not’ offering them reassurances, and making them feel secure in their new home and native land.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan also met with the Syrian Refugees. He says it's heartening to see Canadians rally around Syrian refugees after a group of newly arrived migrants was pepper sprayed in Vancouver. Sajjan calls the attack an isolated incident, and says the Syrian refugees he met with the following day were resilient and still happy to be in Canada.
Toronto Star reported that “Canada ranks among the best countries in the world for integration, according to the 2015 Migrant Integration Policy Index, a study of 38 developed countries. Canada scored highly — No. 6 — for its open job market, pathway to citizenship, investment in language training, settlement services, cultural diversity and training programs.”
Immigration Minister John McCallum says “Canada is very welcoming to refugees, and this incident won't tarnish the country's migrant-friendly reputation.” He says “the federal government utterly condemns the pepper spraying and insists Syrian refugees have no reason to feel unsafe in Canada.”
The group of Syrian Refugees who were attacked are awestruck at outpouring of support from across Canada. The apology is something the Refugees says is not needed. Through a translator they conveyed their message, “What happen does not make us think any less of Canadian people or the Canadian Government, and what they have done for us.”
Ihsaan Gardee, the Executive Director of National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) appreciates the sentiments and outpour of support and condemnation from the highest level, and views this as an “isolated incident not representative of Canadian values, and who we are!”
BCMA President Daud Ismail said, “The newcomers have suffered unimaginable atrocities and left behind everything and found shelter in our country in the hopes of a better future. To be treated as such is not only un-Canadian but inhumane. Our hearts go out and we feel their pains. We condemn such actions on innocent victims in the strongest terms.Although it’s an isolated case, we appeal to our members, community and all Canadians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities”.
The BC Muslim Association’s Victoria Branch, Masjid Al Imaan had held a fundraising dinner over the weekend to sponsor Syrian Refugees, despite the incident, it was a success. Ismail Mohamed Nur, the imam of Victoria’s Masjid Al-Iman Mosque, said the response has been “admirable” after the Vancouver attack. “People here are very open-minded and things that might scare other people do not scare the people of Victoria,” he said. “This is the time for us to come closer as a community and help each other, because by helping each other we are helping establish a better and peaceful co-existence.” He added, “The Christian community in Victoria has been amazing.” The weekend dinner had seating for up to 1,000 people, he said. “The one message we really hope people take home is to realize that the Muslim community is here to help not only Syrians that might need help, but anyone regardless of faith, creed, race,” he said. “We want to show … our compassion to our fellow human being.”
The abhorrent act of one individual pepper spraying Syrian Refugees in Vancouver is not who we are as Canadians.
The Canadians have mastered the art of dealing with hatred and bigotry, by silencing it. We just don’t condemn it. We band together and form a shield of support and protection around the victim, regardless of victim’s race, religion, colour, or creed, sending an unequivocal message to the perpetrators of hate – you attack one of us, you attack us all. Thus such acts will neither be accepted, nor tolerated, and has absolutely no place in our society. Tolerance and acceptance are Canadian values, this is who we are!
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