Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
Written by Editor Kalahan Deng
Dear all, this is the beauty of this land called Canada, that always opens its door to people who are hit hard, prosecuted, and out casted by their political leaders and radical Islamists who have no fear or value human life. International response to the persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East has been too slow and inconsistent in many aspects. Fortunately, the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Stephen Harper, stepped forward and announced that if his current government is re-elected to the office, then his Conservative Party would spend $9 million for a three year program to help religious minorities being persecuted by the Islamic militants. Furthermore, his government would accept an additional 10,000 refugees from Syria and Iraq over the next 4 years.
The question is, what would happen if Mr. Harper is not re-elected to the office? And what would the other Canadian political parties, such as, the New Democratic Party or the Liberal’s, do about these refugees who really need to be rescued from the hands of ISIS? Ordinary Canadians would like to know their political parties position in regard to this urgent matter. It is not just a matter of training local citizens or dropping humanitarian assistant, but, it is a matter of people losing their lives for being Christians in Syria, Egypt, Iraq and else where. Let me be clear here, many political leaders in the west think that persecutions of Christians in the Middle East have started with the appearance of militant groups in Iraq and Syria.
Let those who seem indifferent towards Christians in the Middle East be aware that, nothing can separate Christians from the love of Christ Jesus, not trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or terrorist swords. Christians in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere in the Middle East are being hard pressed on every side, but not in despair; persecuted, but not destroyed.
It is obvious to the Canadian Prime Minister that the terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq still commit heinous crimes which are beyond comprehension. Therein, the Prime Minister stepped in and said, “They must be stopped before they create millions, and tens of millions of refugees and victims on a monthly basis. That is why the Conservative government fully supported and joined the multinational military operations confronting the terrorist groups.”
His current government felt that there is no choice while witnessing mass killings at an alarming, lightning pace that is sweeping across the region. Mr. Harper assured the Canadian public that Canada is a country that can contribute militarily and on a humanitarian sense and his government is doing both.
There is also an important decision that has been taken by the Prime Minister against ISIS supporters who leave Canada to areas that are known to be safeguard of terrorist activities. That is, it would be illegal for a Canadian to travel to those areas under ISIS control. I strongly believe this is another smart way of fighting Jihadist terrorist within the country; because there is no other way of fighting these groups rather than throwing out all options that are available with our Canadian government. Unfortunately, some political leaders have their own unrealistic approaches on how to fight the terrorist groups and help the persecuted religious minorities like Christians and Yazedies in Iraq and Syria. But many security experts and military analysts do not agree with this approach which emphasize on sending humanitarian belief and giving weapons to the local populations to fight the terrorist groups like ISIS.
To conclude this thought, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claimed to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed.” But does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:14-17. Therefore, judge between the Prime Minister’s actions versus other politicians arguments on how the persecuted religious minorities can be helped. If you do agree with the Canadian Prime Minister than, let us know your opinion or with other Canadian political leaders such as New Democratic Party and the Liberals point of views, than express your thoughts.
