September 13,
2010
Homa Arjomand
Today’s’
demonstration is an extension of other rallies and demonstrations along with all other panel discussions ,
conferences and debates for total separation of religion from state and
education. This simple and rightful demand will and should insure the 21st
century treatment for our children to grow up together, play together, learn together
and achieve together irrespective of their parents’ religion, culture and
ethnicity. Only then our children will grow up in a healthy environment without
isolation, discrimination and hate.
Today on
September 13, 2010 , We are here rallying before the international members of
the summit –“ The Building Blocks for Education: Whole System Reform” to emphasize on the fact that the system that divides the children into cultural,
religious, racial majority and minorities will only promote segregation ,isolation,
hates and racism next to sexual apartheid.
Unfortunately the education system in Ontario has
been heading in that direction; and as a result, the Ontario government not
only funded catholic schools, and also aimed to fund Islamic schools but also
since last year, funded schools based on the colour of the children’s skin and
ethnicity of their parents.
McGuinty shamefully called
this injustice and hurtful policy as a fairness policy. I wonder… fairness to
whom? To children, who will miss out the joyfulness of integration, unity,
equality and inclusion or the fairness to religious wings, sects and religious
political movements over a field of action to play an effective role in the
socio-cultural life of our society?
We, the
concern global citizens, were the forefront of the struggle against Sharia court and all other faith based arbitrations in
Ontario and demanded for one secular law for all and managed to over come them
all. And now we are the forefront for establishment of One secular school system
for all as, we unlike Mr. McGuinty, are well aware
that putting
children in the care of Islamic, Catholic or any other religious schools means
legitimizing the imposition of religion on children, on a social level, and
this, in turn, signifies an open refusal on the part of the Ontario government to
defend the rights of children’s safety, happiness, and welfare.
Mr. McGuilty, wake up
and taste the bitterness the children are facing on a daily bases, especially
children living in an influential religious family or so called Islamic
communities. From feeling like an outsider, to struggling at home with their
parents and the members of the communities for their most basic rights: rights
to attend public schools not religious school, rights to wear what ever they
desire, and enjoyment of attending a dance or a music class.
I as a coordinator of the International Campaign
against Sharia Court in Canada; Campaign against
polygamy, child marriage, forced marriage and arranged marriage in Canada and
campaign in defense of Children’s right, declare that in order to prevent any
further victimization of children, the state needs to uphold a very clear
platform to defend universal rights of the child. In the past few decades we
have seen how much these rights have faded, especially in Ontario.
We
therefore demand:
· The
immediate cease of funding and moral support to all religious schools which also
includes funding to catholic schools ;
· A
complete removal of religion from the educational system, this requires
elimination of any religion, ethnicity, and any ideology that contradicts the
absolute equality of all children in civil rights and before the law; any
ideology that is incompatible with human freedom and progress
· We
demand prevention of teaching religious dogmas in schools and educational
establishments. Any law and regulation that breaches the principle of secular
non-religious education must be immediately put to an end
· We
further demand Prohibition of any physical or psychological intimidation on
children for attending any religious school even from parents and the members
of the communities;
· We
demand for Prosecution and punishment of anyone who in any way and under any
pretext impedes children, whether boys or girls, from enjoying their civil and
social rights, such as education, recreation, and participation in children's
social activities
· We
demand for establishment of one secular educational system for all;