Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my deep concern over last Thursday's display of religious intolerance and blind bigotry displayed by police in Karachi, Pakistan against the Christian minority.
I believe it is essential for people of different religions, including minority groups, to respect each other's faith. We are all children of God, so rather than work to destroy each other, we must try to eliminate the true source of conflict which is religious intolerance.
In the words of Patrick Henry: "Religion must only be directed by reason, not by force or violence. All individuals are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, and it is the mutual duty of all to practice tolerance, love and charity toward each other".
Therefore, I would ask that the Government of Canada issue a strong call for religious tolerance and understanding in Pakistan.