Dear Sir,

After reading a column Linda Walia Ming published on March 18, on the topic of Islamophobia, I felt compelled to respond. Let me first explain that I am a member of the Baha’í Faith and submit this letter as an individual rather than as a representative of any committee.

Your columnist deplores the increasing incidents of Islamophobia in various countries. I share this concern in principle and must point out that there are also other types of religious “phobias” existing today.

She mentions “gross discrimination against Muslims, violence and even murder of innocent people, simply because they follow the religion of Islam and are Muslim”.

Some people may find it hard to believe that in this day and age there are incidents of persecution against people simply because of what they believe.

There are some countries in the world — and for clarification let me state that these countries are predominately Muslim — where certain members of the society have been persecuted and even imprisoned for one reason only. That reason is that they are Baha’ís. In other words, they are punished because of what they believe.

I know of incidents in Ontario, Canada, where Muslims were verbally and physically abused on public transit; there was also a case where a Muslim family was run over by a car as they walked along the sidewalk — four members of that family were killed.

It is believed that the only “offence” committed by the victims was that they were Muslims — in other words, they were attacked because of what they believe.

For years, in some countries such as Morocco, Iran, Iraq and others, members of the Baha’í community have been arrested, evicted, etc. There were even incidents of children of Baha’ís not being allowed to attend school.

There are some countries in the world that I will not visit or even pass through. To enter or transit, one must complete an immigration form, on which you must declare your religion.

So, you see, Mr Editor, there are members of some religions who live in fear because of the “phobias” practised by people of other religions.

I share Ms Ming’s concern about religious phobia, and like her I also wish it would disappear from the face of the Earth.

The words of a song may help. Apologies for having forgotten the name of the writer/composer:

“God is One, man is One

And all the religions agree

When everyone learns the three onenesses

We’ll have world unity”

We get unity from diversity. All nine of the world’s religions come from the same source.

If we all practise respect and acceptance, we will help make the world a better place and bring about the New World Order.

I sympathise with Ms Ming, and feel that persecution of Muslims by other members of society, based on Muslims’ beliefs, is wrong.

Also, I feel that persecution of Baha’ís by Muslims because of the beliefs of Baha’ís is equally wrong. As my parents would say, “Two wrongs do not make a right”.

I’ll close with a couple of quotations from the Holy Book:

“The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens”

“Glory not in this that you love your country; glory but in this that you love your kind [ie, mankind].

GARY KENT-SMITH

Smith’s