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Trudeau visits a Mosque and we have a headline
9-20-2016
We must give credits where its due. Without a doubt, the Liberal government, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Trudeau has achieved more in less than a year what it might have taken the Conservatives more than a decade. Similarly, the Liberal government, once again has cleaned up much of the mess left behind by the previous Conservative government under Mr. Harper faster than people had anticipated. Without a doubt, Mr. Trudeau, besides being Canada's PM, he also qualifies to be a celebrity with a cult like following. He is not media shy, and he is the most social media savvy PM Canada has ever seen. He is connected, he is engaging, and certainly does not pass an opportunity to be among people, whether it’s a Metro Station, or on the street. In general, with fame comes glory, and with glory comes enmity.
As one's fan base grows, so grows also the base of people who despise you. Mr. Trudeau certainly has fair share of people waiting for him to fumble, so they can score a touchdown. Even when he does not fumble, the right wing media, the Toronto Sun, the Financial Post and few other right wing media itching to grab on to something to pin him down. One such example was when Mr. Trudeau visited an Ottawa Mosque on Eid Al Adha.
Although he has visited not only the Ottawa Mosques but many mosques over the past few years like many other Politicians but never has he faced such strong criticism as he has in the past week, all of it spearheaded by a so-called "Muslim Feminist" from United States Asra Nomani, who apparently quoted in an interview, reported by Canada's National Post, "“Right now we have these political leaders — ironically, politically liberal leaders — who are just putting blinders on their eyes about their values.”
That is something the right wing media was looking for, the rest is history. News headlines flashing, National Post, "‘Feminist’ Trudeau under attack for attending gender-segregated event at Ottawa mosque." Even more spicy by Toronto Sun, "Trudeau visits mosque with terror connections.”
The right wing media in Canada thrives on perpetuation of lies especially when you combined two ingredients, a celebrity PM and Muslims. This is exactly what the right wing media does. They take comments made by some self proclaimed "Muslim:" Leader, Activists, Spokesperson, or an Expert. Although they might be leader with little or no following. They might be an activists, and their activism limited to forcing others to accept the way they Islam and other religions and circle of other activists around them might be limited to one or two, you catch the drift. These individuals, such as Tarek Fatah, Irshad Manji, Ayan Hirsi Ali, Asra Nomani and few others. They are neither the spokesperson for Islam or Muslims, nor are they seen as "experts" within the Muslim community at large. Their followers could be counted upon fingers.
Nonetheless, they have managed to discover the instant path to fame. Say something against Islam and/or Muslims and the dimwit right wing media will make a mountain out of a molehill. This is precisely what happened when people were misled about Prime Minister Trudeau's visit to the Ottawa Mosque on Eid Al Adha.
First of all Mr. Trudeau was an invited guest on the most celebrated feast on an Islamic Calendar to come and address the congregation.
Some media outlets has raised issues with gender segregation, where men were on the main floor and women were above on the second floor with a view through a balcony. Therefore some media outlets are making an issue out of this. If that is the case and politicians should not be attending places of worship where gender segregation exists than we have a bigger problem than Mr. Trudeau attending a mosque. Currently there are ten Muslim MP's and just as many Sikh MP, some of them prominent cabinet ministers such as in the Ministry of Defence. Are we supposed to enforce views of few self proclaimed experts perpetuated by runaway right wing media to prevent Sikh and Muslim MP's from following their religious convictions?
Yes there are gender segregations. May we ask why do we have gender separated toilets or sports for that matter. Why can we not have gender separated Prayers when the worshipers gather to connect with God?
We commend the Mr. Trudeau for his leadership and not being befuddled by those who wish to detract him from his course. Mr. Trudeau, confronted the media and stated, “I will meet with Canadians regardless of where they are in Canada,” Trudeau told reporters Monday afternoon. “I will speak to inclusive growth, help for the middle class. I will talk about gender equality. I will talk about the rights of the LGBT community. We will continue to promote the values which bring us together.”
As quoted by Financial Post, "Patty Hajdu, Trudeau’s minister for the status of women," added, “So whether you’re in an indigenous community or in a community of faith or in a military community … there are a number of traditions and cultures and standards that the community upholds and I think the respectful thing is to understand that it might not be your practice but it is theirs.”
This is what we all as Canadians need to do if we wish to part away from Harper Government's legacy. Ignore the lies perpetuated by right wing media, dig deeper and research, ask questions and the answer may just surprise you.
Thank you Prime Minister Trudeau for taking time to join the congregants of Ottawa Mosque on Eid Al Adha
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