BradfordToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). This letter is in response to Bradford council's decision to nix plans to host a massive Muslim conference.
I am writing in response to the recent decision to deny permission for the Muslim convention in Bradford, which deeply saddened both my children and me.
As members of a community that has faced tremendous persecution in our home country, we sought refuge in Canada, a land renowned for its values of equality, freedom of worship, and the right to practise one’s faith.
When we moved here, we believed that Canada was a beacon of hope, where everyone had the opportunity to live peacefully and celebrate their beliefs. However, this decision has caused me to question whether the Canada we now experience is the same one we initially embraced. It is disheartening to feel that our community is being denied the opportunity to hold a peaceful convention on land we own, especially in a country that stands for inclusivity and tolerance.
I understand that concerns were raised about the event, but in my opinion, every large event faces challenges in its early stages. Organizers learn from past experiences and improve future events accordingly. I am confident that if the town council were to allow the convention to proceed, the organizers would ensure that all necessary steps are taken to address any concerns.
I hope that the town council reconsiders its decision and permits this important event to go forward. We moved to Canada for the opportunity to live freely, and I believe in its promise of fairness and respect for all.
Gul Afroz
A member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at
Bradford
