Canadian
Baha'i representative participates in UN forum addressing anti-muslim
discrimination - New
York
Director of Government Relations
for the Baha’i Community of Canada, Corinne Box, a resident of Ottawa,
participated in a recent High-Level Forum on Combatting Anti-Muslim
Discrimination and Hate that was hosted at the UN Headquarters in New
York. She was invited to participate by the Government of
Canada.
The event, which brought together people of many faiths and
backgrounds, representatives from several nations and international
bodies, and individuals working in a variety of sectors, saw a unified
response emphasizing the need to focus on our common humanity.
A video message from the new Secretary General of the UN, António
Guterres, framed the discussion of anti-Muslim discrimination in the
contexts of both this period in history where tensions are rising
around the globe, and of the many forms of discrimination that plague
and hinder us. In his remarks, he noted that, “discrimination
diminishes us all; it prevents people and societies from achieving
their full potential.” He further urged those gathered to “draw
strength from the values of inclusion, tolerance, and mutual
understanding - that are at the heart of all major faiths, and the
United Nations charter.”
Throughout the day, speakers and panelists made explicit what it means
to be inclusive and tolerant and what one might try to do to encourage
mutual understanding - in the context of societies plagued by
anti-Muslim discrimination and hate. The Baha’i representative, Mrs.
Box, a resident of Ottawa, was invited along with Zarqa Nawaz, Director
of Little Mosque on the Prairie, to speak in an afternoon panel
session. The panel, titled, Positive Narratives to Promote
Pluralism and Inclusion, was organized and moderated by Richard
Arbeiter, Director General of the Office of Human Rights, Freedom and
Inclusion in the Global Affairs Canada Department (the former
Department of Foreign Affairs).
In her comments, Mrs. Box noted that it is “important to give more
space to the positive influence of religion in society”. In that
connection, she shared the modest, yet concrete example of the Baha’i
Community of Canada’s collaboration with other organizations to bring
about the Our
Whole Society conference series, which aims to
open the space for voices from a wide range of secular and religious
positions to discuss the role of religion in Canadian society.
Echoing the message shared by the Secretary General in his opening
remarks, Mrs. Box later affirmed, “we are all part of the same human
family,” and in a brief exploration of the implications of this
conviction, she noted our differences, our profound interdependence,
and emphasized the organic relationship that exists between us, whereby
“damage to one part will damage the whole”.
Participants in the high-level forum left well-informed of the reach,
depth, and some of the sources of prejudice against Muslims, as well as
some indications of modest steps that have helped to counter harmful
narratives. A press release on the event from the Canadian government
can be read here.