Imam Samy Metwally of the Ottawa Muslim Association prepares his khutbahs carefully, pulling out gems of advice from the Holy Qur'an and the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to guide his congregation. Last Friday he spoke about what the Qur'an and the hadith teach us about forgiveness and compassion, human rights, dignity, tolerance and mutual respect. He turned to Nelson Mandela and lauded his struggle for justice and his forgiveness. Imam Metwally also expressed dismay that many Muslims are flouting their religion's teachings and are even killing people of different religions, sects, or views, which the Qur'an strictly forbids. Canada loved Mandela and he adored Canada. So while the world is mourning Mandela's passing and lauding his legacy, this country is proud it supported him in times good and bad. Canada was at that time a great champion of justice, human rights for everyone and for peaceful resolution of disputes through the United Nations. Like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Mandela was the champion of the downtrodden and a spokesman for humanity. But Gandhi was jailed by the British for much shorter periods for his peaceful struggle for independence. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and not released till 1990. Both were reviled as terrorists or agitators by their oppressors though one advocated struggling for freedom non-violently while the other espoused equality and justice for all. Canada was an early ally of Mandela in his fight against injustice. Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, a champion of human rights, challenged Canada's Commonwealth allies and worked to oust South Africa from the Commonwealth in 1961. Later, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney locked horns with US president Ronald Reagan and British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and pushed through tough sanctions against the apartheid regime that ultimately forced it to abandon its odious racial discrimination, accept majority rule and transform Mandela from a prisoner to the country's president. It was a long but noble fight. Mandela deeply appreciated Canada's principled stand. On his first visit to Canada in February 1990 to confer with the African National Congress-in-exile leaders and select African leaders in Zambia, he invited Canadian Foreign Minister Joe Clark, one of the few Western leaders so honored. Canada was among the first Western countries that Mandela visited. Canada proudly made Mandela an honorary Canadian citizen and conferred on him its highest award, the Order of Canada. Mandela visited Canada three times. “We have difficulty finding the words,” said Mandela, “to describe the depths of our appreciation to be made an honorary citizen of this great country.” Barely four months after being released from 27 years in prison, Mandela addressed the House of Commons in Ottawa in June 1990. He received thunderous applause and he thanked Prime Minister Mulroney and the Canadian people for standing up for justice, human rights and equality. In fact Mandela talked to Mulroney on the very day after his release: “We regard you as one of our great friends because of the solid support we have received from you and Canada over the years. When I was in jail, having friends like you in Canada gave me more joy and support than I can say.” Mulroney told Mandela in the House of Commons that the world was “remarkably fortunate” to have a person of his “rare qualities” leading South Africa, and providing the rest of the world with an inspiring example. In 1998 Mandela launched the Nelson Mandela's Children Fund Canada in Toronto with Prime Minister Jean Chretien to assist children. Mandela had excellent relations with prime ministers Mulroney, Clark, John Turner and Chretien - all of whom favored human rights. Mandela came close to death in Canada in 1990. His plane had landed in Goose Bay for refueling. In weather of -15 degrees, he rushed out to greet Inuit (Eskimo) children who stood at the fences of the airport and talked with them. He developed pneumonia which could have been fatal. He was profoundly touched and later said that supporting the cause of the Aboriginal people would be one of his priorities. As a columnist wrote: “Though Canada never matched the horrors of the oppressive apartheid regime, Canada's history of poor treatment of its Aboriginal peoples has, at too many times, been shameful.” Another cause Mandela favored was freedom for the Palestinians. Politely but firmly he told a town hall meeting in the United States: “We identify with the PLO because, just like ourselves, they are fighting for the right of self-determination. Arafat is a comrade in arms.” On other occasions Mandela also spoke out for justice for the Palestinian people. It is a cause that resonates with the people of the entire world, including conscientious Israelis and Jews. But many Western governments are guided by political expediency rather than principles of justice for everybody. Western governments pay lip service and indeed admire Mandela, but they lack the moral fiber to actively promote human dignity and justice for all peoples as Mandela did.
— Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan is a retired Canadian journalist, civil servant and refugee judge.
