Canadian MP Jamil Jivani Pushes For Stronger Religious Freedom Protections

OTTAWA- Canadian MP Jamil Jivani has submitted a notice of motion to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, calling for the protection of the freedom to worship without fear of violence or criminal intimidation.

The motion, submitted on July 28, urged the Standing Committee to acknowledge that religious communities in Canada have faced increasing violence and criminal intimidation since 2021. It specifically mentioned incidents involving attacks on Hindu temples, churches, mosques, and synagogues.

Jivani stated that additional security measures and legal protections are needed to stop criminals from targeting religious communities and attacking the freedom to worship in Canada.

The motion called upon the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to recognize that protecting the freedom to worship without fear of violence or criminal intimidation is a fundamental part of Canadian Heritage.

Jivani urged the committee to conduct a study on threats to the freedom to worship in Canada since 2021. The motion also sought two meetings on the issue, and a report of its findings to be submitted to the House of Commons.

In April, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Surrey was defaced with graffiti in what is now the third reported act of vandalism at the same site. In November last year, a protest by extremists near the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton escalated into violence, with attendees of the temple reportedly attacked. Earlier, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. (IANS)