Durham MP calls for protection of Christians in Canada

Durham MP calls for protection of Christians in Canada By Sami Parvez In May 2024, Jamal Jivani, 37, was elected as the member of Parliament for Durham in a by-election, replacing former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, who stepped down in August 2023. Jivani has been a vocal for protecting Christians and their rights in Canada. In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Durham MP Jamal Jivani called on Canadians to sign a petition addressing what he described as government inaction in the face of increasing threats to Christian communities. In Canada, Christians are facing backlash while the government turns a blind eye. This comes despite more than 19.3 million Canadians identifying as Christian—53 per cent of the population, according to the 2021 census. "I'm sounding the alarm,” Jivani said in the video posted on X. “We need to do more to protect Christians in Canada,” The MP’s call comes amidst growing concerns over vandalism and arson targeting churches, as well as debates surrounding religious freedoms and parental rights and growing influence of the LGBTQ2S+ movement. Jivani criticized the federal government in a video posted on X, for its perceived failure to address these issues, questioning its commitment to safeguarding Christian heritage. He also raised alarm over what he described as a “crime spree” targeting places of worship, emphasizing the need to protect the freedom of expression for Christian churches. Durham MP expressed concerns in his video about the federal government's failure to defend parental rights and Christian values. He emphasized the need to protect mothers and fathers, conscience rights for workers, and to address crimes targeting churches, such as arson and vandalism. It is uncommon for a Muslim MP to advocate for the protection of Christianity, as Muslims rarely speak out on behalf of other religious groups, particularly Christians. Some Islamic scholars argue that saying "Merry Christmas" implies endorsing the belief that "God has a son," which conflicts with Islamic teachings. For this reason, they consider it prohibited, as it is seen as celebrating the son of God. Christianity has been under threat in Canada since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office, with the Christmas season increasingly referred to as the holiday season. In 2021, the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites sparked national outrage, leading to more than 100 churches being burned or vandalized. At the time, Trudeau told media, “I understand the anger that’s out there against the federal government, against institutions like the Catholic Church. It is real and it’s fully understandable, given the shameful history that we are all becoming more and more aware of and engaging ourselves to do better as Canadians.” In 2009, Durham Region experienced a troubling rise in church vandalism and arson, affecting historic and cherished landmarks. All Saints’ Anglican Church in Whitby, a 144-year-old structure, faced repeated vandalism before being destroyed by a suspicious fire, with damages estimated at $2-3 million. Investigators found a gas canister at the scene. Similarly, St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Oshawa was ravaged by a Christmas Day fire with multiple points of origin, suspected to be motivated by religious bigotry. These attacks left congregations grappling with emotional pain, financial strain, and displacement, highlighting the urgent need for community vigilance. “Now when you see a Christmas tree like this in Parliament you might think that's a sign of respect for Christians,” Durham MP said in the video. “But what good is a Christmas tree here in Parliament when you have a federal government that will not lift a finger to protect Christians from governments and corporations abusing their power?” According to the International Prayer Connect (IPC), a global network of over 4,500 Christian prayer and mission networks and organizations, in 2019, Trudeau told Pastor Steve Long, a Canadian Baptist minister, 'Evangelical Christians were the worst part of Canadian society.” The remark continues to fuel distrust among Evangelical groups toward Trudeau's government." “We have to stop the crime spree targeting churches including arson and vandalism,” Conservative MP added in the video. “And we need to defend the legal status of Christian Charities and the freedom of expression of Christian churches.” “This is not about forcing other people to live according to Christian values no this is about whether Christians in Canada have the freedom to live according to their own traditions and to practice their own faith without corporations and governments engaging in overreach.” Durham MP is urging Canadians to take action by signing a petition on one of his sites. The petition, aimed at protecting Christian rights and heritage, will be presented at an event in Ottawa in February 2025. “This is not about forcing others to live according to Christian values,” Jivani said in the video. “This is about whether Christians in Canada have the freedom to live according to their own traditions and practice their faith without corporations and governments overreaching.” Jivani emphasized the need to stop crimes targeting churches and defend the legal status of Christian charities, urging Canadians to stand united in protecting their rights and freedoms.