WSO & Interfaith Partners Express Support for Office of Religious Freedoms

Ottawa (January 22, 2016):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada, on behalf of Canadian Sikhs, has joined with Canada’s Jewish and Ahmadiyya Muslim communities in expressing support for the Office of Religious Freedom in a joint letter to the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The letter, signed by WSO President, Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill, along with Dr. Asif Khan (National Secretary – Public Relations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Canada) and Shimon Koffler Fogel (CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs) noted the ongoing impact of religious intolerance and violence, affecting hundreds of millions around the world, including the current refugee crisis in Syria.  The signatories also recognized the important role the Office of Religious Freedom plays in raising Canada's profile as a world leader in human rights promotion on the international stage.

Following the submission of the letter, WSO President Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill said, "Canada has an international reputation as a champion of human rights and the Office of Religious Freedom, under the strong leadership of Dr. Andrew Bennnet, demonstrates Canada's commitment to advancing freedom of religion around the world.   We have joined with our friends in the Jewish and Ahmadiyya communities to express our appreciation for the work being undertaken by the Office and in conveying our hope that the government will continue to strongly support its efforts."

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights of all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.