GOPIO CONDEMNS RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE AND HATE SPEECH

GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago

a Chapter of GOPIO INTERNATIONAL

PO BOX 2286, Chaguanas, 687-7529 Fax: 665-5984 GopioTT@gmail.com

Deosaran Bisnath, President Ena Maraj, PRO Varsha Maharaj, Secretary Oscar Ramoutar, Treasurer

Directors: Niranjan Bhaggan Robert Ramsamooj Jaganath Seeram-Maharaj

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2009

GOPIO CONDEMNS RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE AND HATE SPEECH

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Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Trinidad and Tobago strongly condemns what we regard as religious intolerance and hate speech contained in the article by Kenneth Assee, titled “Weak Criticisms by Baldeosingh”, in the Guardian newspaper, on Sunday May 10, 2009.
Specifically, reference is made to Assee’s statement:
“This is why religions like Hinduism and Islam continue to exist despite rational criticism of the cruelties they sanction. Their followers choose to believe.”

http://guardian.co.tt/commentary/columnist/2009/05/09/weak-criticisms-baldeosingh

GOPIO categorically rejects Assee’s claim that Hinduism and Islam sanction “cruelties”, and the characterization that Hindus and Muslims “choose to believe.”

While Hindus and Muslims may be tempted to respond with the long list of cruelties perpetrated in the name of religion throughout the past two millenniums, we caution against descending to such low levels of behavior; instead, we urge everyone in our multi-religious rainbow nation to practise tolerance of all religious communities, acceptance of every citizen, and inclusion of all, as we seek to develop a peaceful and harmonious society.

GOPIO notes that this is not the first time a letter writer with the name “Kenneth Assee” has attempted to cast aspersions on Hinduism and Islam.

In the Guardian on Friday July 29th, 2005, a column titled “Towards a True Emancipation,” by “Kenneth Assee, a Reader from Port of Spain”, included the following”

“Our aspirations for the future must recognise that Hindutva and Islamic fundamentalism will present themselves in beguiling guises with seductive arguments. But their overall objective, explicit or implicit, is the same, to derail our society.”

http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/infofiles/collect/news3/index/assoc/HASH011a/8b62dcfb.dir/5662.jpg



GOPIO cautions against dangerous and harmful generalizations that may portray Hindus, Muslims, and Christians as extremists and enemies of our nation who seek to destroy our society.

In the Guardian on Sunday 12th October, 2008, one “Kenneth Assee“ writes as follows:

“Would Balkissoon consider paying some form of compensation to the victim’s relatives as an appropriate moral act for his crime? Or is this kind of morality beyond the doctrinal tenets of his Hinduism? ….The victim is now but a bunch of bones in his grave, but Balkissoon, his killer, will be able to enjoy the company of his relatives, celebrate and dance at Hindu festivals, and eat his roti and doubles while bemoaning how bad prison life was. Did he expect it to be a Hindu retreat?
Kenneth Assee Port-of-Spain “
http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2008-10-12/letters.html

GOPIO Trinidad and Tobago exhorts all to heed the advice of Pope Benedict XVI, who during a visit to Nazareth on May 13th, 2009, urged all to “work to build bridges and find the way to a peaceful coexistence. Let everyone reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice, which kills men's souls before it kills their bodies!"

In addition, GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago exhorts all to heed the advice of President Obama, contained in his National Day of Prayer proclamation, on May 7, 2009:
”Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.”

GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago reminds all that bigotry, intolerance, sectarianism, and fanaticism have resulted in nothing but violence, death, despair, and destruction. GOPIO believes we must develop a society that moves beyond tolerance, to mutual acceptance, with the core values of community and individual responsibility; equality of opportunity; and respect for freedom of rights, including freedom of speech but refraining from hate speech that discredits and denigrates fellow citizens.



GOPIO Trinidad has requested, and is requesting the Guardian to publish this response.


Deosaran Bisnath

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Deosaran Bisnath, President, GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago

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GOPIO Trinidad and Tobago, a chapter of GOPIO International, is a secular, non-partisan, registered non-profit and Non-Governmental Organization that is not associated with any political party or religious organization.