Pakistan calls for global action after Islamophobic attack on Muslim family in Canada
Pakistan has demanded global action to counter Islamophobia and hatred against Muslims following horrible attack on Pakistan-origin Muslim family in Ontario, Canada.
In this regard, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a phone conversation with Foreign Minister of Canada Marc Garneau to discuss the matters related to the recent tragic incident of Islamophobia in London, Ontario.
Appreciating the Canadian Government, civil society, media and general public’s extended support to the family of the victims in this hour of grief, he lauded strong condemnatory statement issued by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who termed this attack as Islamophobic. Pakistani minister expressed hope that the perpetrator of the crime would be brought to justice.
Pakistan foreign minister stated that the “Islamophobic attack was a matter of serious concern and had caused anguish among the Muslims worldwide.”
The two foreign ministers agreed to work together on countering Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred through coordinated efforts at various international fora and agreed to instruct their Permanent Representatives in New York to work together in this regard. “The attack in London, Ont., reminds us that we have a lot more work to do. Canada is committed to doing this work at home and abroad” the statement from Canada’s foreign ministry said.
Canada’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour, said Canada and Pakistan have reaffirmed their solidarity in the fight against anti-Muslim hatred.
The Foreign Minister briefed the Canadian Foreign Minister on the efforts undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to raise awareness and to curtail the growing Islamophobic tendencies. He underscored that the international community must show a common resolve against the rising trend of Islamophobia and promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.
They also discussed bilateral ties and agreed to remain in close contact.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, expressing grief over the killing of a Pakistani-origin family in Canada, had called upon the international community to counter Islamophobia. “This condemnable act of terrorism reveals the growing Islamophobia in Western countries” he stressed.
Four members of a Pakistan-origin Canadian Muslim family were killed when a white man rammed them with his pick-up truck Canadian police have said the attack was motivated by hate due to the group’s Muslim faith.