By KEVIN CRUSH, SUN MEDIA
The key to combating racism is a focus on pluralism, says an author on the subject.
“To live with people of different colour and ethnic groups… that should be the fabric of society,” said Mansoor Ladha, who wrote the book A Portrait in Pluralism.
The former publisher of the Morinville Mirror and the Redwater Tribune is a Shia Ismaili Muslim who came to Canada from Tanzania in 1972.
At the time, he remembers walking down the street in Edmonton and hearing someone call him a “Paki” because of his brown skin.
Discrimination against Muslims seemed to get worse following 9-11, he said.
“Muslims have been stereotyped. After 9-11, everyone who wears a beard was regarded as a terrorist. It was difficult for Muslims to go to the United States.
“Even now, there are people with names like Abdul or Amin who are being singled out by the immigration department in the United States.”
Pluralism, where all races, ethnicities and beliefs are treated equally in society, should be considered key to getting rid of racism, said Ladha. It’s a policy that is trumpeted by Shia Ismaili leader the Aga Khan.
Ladha points to the Aga Khan as a positive example. Known as a philanthropist, the Aga Khan has built universities, hospitals and schools, all in the name of pluralism.
“When people hear about what Muslim people are doing, all they hear about is terrorism. But here is a Muslim leader who is doing lots of things in developing countries,” said Ladha.
Ismailimail 