Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an extraordinary individual. Mr. Taher S. Madraswalla has been on a peace mission for 14 years.
In October 1981, at the age of 18, he left his homeland of Ahmedabad, India, on a bicycle tour and now 14 years and some 116,000 kilometres later he has visited 30 countries spreading his message of peace.
Throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and now Canada he has spread the word of international brotherhood, peace and understanding. Fittingly the last stage of his mission will be to cycle to the headquarters of the United Nations where he is hoping to bring his message to the secretary-general.
In tribute I must quote Mr. Madraswalla:
I have seen too much fighting because of religion and I don't believe that religion and skin colour should keep people apart.
On behalf of all members of the House I congratulate him for dedicating the past 14 years to an honourable goal.