What can we do to help?

We can:

1. Provide Emergency Assistance
2. Support Moderate Muslims
3. Write to our local media to highlight what the moderates are saying
4. Challenge local Muslims to promote the Islamic principles that call for “justice, kindness, fairness, freedom of faith and coexistence."

St. Francis crossed military lines and found a friend in the Sultan - a lesson for our times. How can we follow in his footsteps?

In response to needs for emergency assistance and reconstruction in the Middle East, three Canadian Catholic agencies are collecting funds for the suffering people of Iraq, Gaza and Syria: the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP), CNEWA Canada, and Aid to the Church in Need. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and Canadian dioceses are encouraging Catholics to support the three agencies in their work. Read more.

The Pontifical Council speaks out against terror in name of religion. Haaretz picked up on this and wrote:
“The Vatican's call came as Egypt's top religious authority, Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam, condemned Islamic State as a corrupt, extremist organisation that is damaging Islam.”

Iyad Ameen Madani, secretary general of The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the actions in Mosul and Nineveh. He said the ISIS "forced displacement is a crime that cannot be tolerated; and that the practices of ISIS have nothing to do with Islam and its principles that call for justice, kindness, fairness, freedom of faith and coexistence."

Who are the moderate Muslims? Where are they and how can we support and encourage them to speak out?

To start, you could read Raheel Raza, a Sunni Muslim married to a Shia Muslim. She is the author of Their Jihad, Not My Jihad: a Muslim Canadian woman speaks out. She also wrote How Many Moderate Muslims Does it Take to Give
a Message?