By Gerald V. Paul

Thanks Dr. Vidhya Gyan Tota-Maharaj, consul general for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto, and members of the Muslim community for inviting the Eyes Guy to a reception in celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr at the consulate.

Wishing everyone Eid Mubarak.

Yes, Eyesers, it’s all about building bridges and not just a mere photo op where some in the political circles do an “Et tu Brutus” to our beloved Muslim brothers and sisters.

With Harper’s chosen senator, Rev. (Pentecostal pastor and first Jamaican senator) Dr. Don Meredith allegedly involved with a “young thing” and other senators including Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy caught with their hands in the “cookie jar”, why would a Senate security and defence committee “stigmatize Muslims”?

Is this about fighting terrorism or fo … (as in fog up de place?) menting fear?

Muslim groups call this move to certify imams “racial and religious discrimination.” Will they require this of Catholic priests, United Church ministers and rabbis? Why the focus on Muslims?

Alia Hogben, executive director of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, admitted some imams teach radical ideas but so do some Christian leaders. And the Eyes Guy says Amen to that.

Christian leaders like the former Conservative senator who is alleged to have had an extra-marital relationship with a young lady – that’s a form of home-grown terrorism, methinks. Her entire life, if not rescued early, could be psychologically damaged.

Who will “certify” others who would prey on women – or little girls or boys? The Senate report urges greater scrutiny of imams and barring radical thinkers from Canada and exploring options for training and certification of imams in Canada.

Is this a con – as in Conservative solution to the challenge of violent extremism – or does it risk further alienating Muslim communities? Or is this red meat for the neo-conservative right-wing circle the wagons and get down and dirty, winner take all, it’s election time faction?

What about the fundamentalist Christian preachers of hate against gays and those who may need to save a life through abortion? Say what, right-winged praise the Lord and pass the ammunition crowd? Yes, you who do or would love to take your Bible and gun to church. Lord have mercy.

“This report, while ostensibly about improving national security, in fact stigmatizes and marginalizes Canadian Muslim communities and portrays them as a threat rather than as a partner in the fight against violent extremism,” said Ihsaan Gardee, executive director, National Council of Canadian Muslims.

Gardee said there’s no need to unfairly target imams when the criminal code already has provisions to deal with people suspected of promoting terrorist ideology.

Meanwhile in the U.S., Muslims raised more than $100,000 to help rebuild Black churches in the South, while a Muslim cemetery was labeled a plot by radicals to gain a foothold in small Texas town. America, a Christian country? Lord have mercy.

Yes, an adamant Eyes Guy says to the Conservative-dominated Senate, take your Muslim report and stick it where the sun don’t shine! Did I just say dat?

Who are these people behind this ‘let’s get the Muslim guy’ report? Are they remnants of Reform Party mendicants? Far-right-wing zealots?

In the Caribbean the Muslim faith is an integral part of our way of life – they are business leaders, government ministers, public servants, doctors, lawyers, etc. To come to Canada or America and be treated as potential terrorists is a testament to sick souls who only want to use and abuse the Muslim community for political reasons. Shame!

Are we still fearfully searching for a just society in Canada?