Dear Editor,
I fully endorse R. Khan’s recommendation that “The Mosques in North America should have social programmes to offer families advice” (07.12.16).
Khan is right in noting that most mosques, and I dare add most Hindu temples and Christian churches, are primarily interested in collecting donations and are not committed to performing social services for youths and families in distress. Indeed, they have failed their communities. Most temples, for example, that I visit on a Sunday morning would have three hours of service and no mention would be made of the many pressing problems (teen pregnancy, drug abuse, school drop out, etc.) confronting their members.
Recently, four teenagers lost their lives on a late night out in the Richmond Hill area. Families and youths need proper guidance in their lifestyles and how to address social problems.
Contrary to what Khan wrote, I never attacked Islam or any other religion. I merely pointed out in several articles the folly in the medieval interpretation of some aspects of the religious scriptures. I do not think the death penalty should apply if someone refuses to wear the hijab or the ohrni (rumall or head scarf) if she were Hindu. I do not know, other than what was reported in the papers, what religious edicts the Pakistani female teenager in Toronto violated. But certainly beating her to death can never be justified.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
