11 Sep
One or two busloads of Toronto’s Tibetans are planning to go to the “North American Rally for Tibet” in Washington DC in October. Muslims have been demonstrating in Yonge-Dundas Square against attacks on Muslims in Myanmar/Burma. Toronto Copts have been raising money for destroyed churches and threatened congregations in Egypt.
With the world in Toronto, we can expect that our neighbours are worried about their countries of origin. For some, it’s a financial problem; for example, their livelihood here might depend on income from countries like Iran.
What can Torontonians do when we are exposed to so many different overwhelming problems? We can’t help the whole world. The least we can do is ask what the demonstrators want. We could leave some money for their causes if we agree with them. We could do some reading.
I asked an Egyptian what Canadians can do to help. She said “nothing” but we should be aware of what’s happening and proceeded to tell me about it. I think she appreciated a sympathetic ear. Another Egyptian told me that Egyptians here are divided regarding what should be done. There are no easy answers.
We could sign the Syrian petition if we agree with it. A war in Syria would eventually affect us directly too. It’s at: http://www.avaaz.org/en/solution_for_syria_loc/?rc=fb&pv=36. We could write our prime minister Stephen Harper and voice our opinions at: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/contact.asp .
If we haven’t already, we can show our neighbours by our concern that we are glad they are here.
Please share your thoughts about this with us. Ruth.