Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued on Friday March 25, 2016 the traditional greeting on Easter:
“This weekend, millions of Canadians and people around the world will join with friends and family to celebrate the Easter holiday. Easter is the holiest of Christian holidays, and marks the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“It is a sacred time for many, and an opportunity for us all to extend a helping hand to those in need, and to reflect on the notions of personal sacrifice and compassion that underlie the occasion. As we gather with those most important to us, let us put into practice what it truly means to love our neighbours as ourselves.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish all those celebrating a very happy Easter. We hope all Canadians, no matter their faith, find this a time of optimism, renewal, and new beginnings.”
Trudeau’s greetings on Christian holidays
Trudeau’s greetings on the Christian holidays repeat similar messages focusing on the joyful spirit of the holiday and general messages of hope, kindness, and charity.
The following are excerpts from Trudeau’s greetings on Christian holidays:.
Easter (April 2, 2015): “This is an especially sacred time of year for Christians around the world, as they come together to mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time for us all to extend a helping hand to those in need, and to solemnly reflect on the notions of personal sacrifice and compassion that underlie this occasion.”
Easter (April 17, 2014): “As we spend the weekend with those most important to us, let us pause to reflect on love for one another and sacrifice in the name of service. Let us also remember those in need at this time of year.”
Orthodox Easter (April 10, 2015): “This day serves as a reminder to us all of the importance of extending a helping hand to those in need, and of solemnly reflecting on the notions of personal sacrifice and compassion that underlie this occasion.”
Orthodox Easter (May 3, 2013): “Easter is often marked by festive family meals, attending church services and coming together with loved ones. This important time of year is also an occasion to be thankful for our many blessings and to think on those who are in need.”
Christmas (December 24, 2014): “On this day, Christians reflect on their faith and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This occasion inspires families and communities to come together, share what they have, and give back to those less fortunate. May we take this time to reflect on our many blessings, and remind our loved ones how much they mean to us.”
Orthodox Christmas (January 6, 2015): “Surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones, many Christians gather to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, and to reflect on his messages of hope, kindness, and charity. This joyful time of year is also an opportunity to appreciate the many blessings we are fortunate to enjoy in Canada, and to give back to our communities.”
Orthodox Christmas (January 7, 2014): “Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. While Christians reflect on their faith during holiday traditions, this is a time for togetherness and giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives. I hope you will take this time to reflect on the values we cherish most, and surround yourself with your loved ones. It is also important to take this opportunity to recognize the rights and freedoms we enjoy here in Canada. We are free to believe and practice all forms of faith, and most importantly, we do so in a peaceful manner.”
Trudeau’s greetings on Muslim holidays
In his greetings on Muslim holidays, Trudeau portray the basic values of Islam as identical to the Canadian values as crystallized in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and commend the Muslim community forenriching the national fabric.
The following are excerpts from Trudeau’s greetings on Christian holidays:
Eid al-Adha (September 24, 2015): “To mark this special occasion, they will attend morning prayers, share meals, and exchange gifts and greetings with family, friends, and neighbours. Based on the principles of sacrifice and charity, generosity and compassion, it is an opportunity for us all to reflect on these values, which unite all Canadians.”
Eid al-Adha (October 3, 2014): “This occasion allows for reflection on the importance of sacrifice and charity. Friends and family will gather for gift-giving to those less fortunate, and many Muslims around the world will undertake the Hajj. Eid al-Adha is an opportunity for prayer, forgiveness, and celebration. It is on days like today that we are reminded of the values that bring all Canadians together – those of peace, compassion, family, and friendship.”
Eid al-Adha (October 15, 2013): “Through morning prayer, the exchange of greetings and gifts with loved ones, and partaking in charitable acts, those observing Eid al-Adha reflect the values that bring all Canadians together – those of peace, altruism, family and friendship.”
Ramadan (June 18, 2015): “On the first day of Ramadan, Muslims in Canada and around the world will begin their month-long journey of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection. It is an occasion characterized by empathy, discipline, compassion, and charity.
“During this blessed month, we are reminded of the many ways our vibrant Muslim community helps to enrich our national fabric each and every day. It is an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on how very fortunate we are to live in a nation where people from every imaginable faith, culture, and country, who speak every language, live, work, build, and thrive together.”
Ramadan (June 27, 2014): “During this month distinguished by empathy and discipline, Canadians are reminded of how fortunate we are to live in a country that not only embraces, but celebrates diversity. I look forward to joining with the Muslim community in the weeks to come in observance of this holy month.
Ramadan (July 9, 2013): “During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims in Canada and around the world fast and engage in deep spiritual reflection, recommit to a life guided by compassion and charity, and foster spiritual renewal of themselves and their communities.
“Underlying the teachings of Ramadan are the values of empathy, generosity and discipline – principles upon which Canada is founded. They are tenets of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees those things sacred to you, to me and to all people with whom we share this great land.
“I am proud to live in a country where people come together, where our common dreams crowd out the fears that would divide us. Canada is so greatly enriched by its diversity of cultures, languages and religions, and by our shared belief in respect, acceptance, understanding and friendship.”
Eid al-Fitr (July 17, 2015): “Every year, I have the pleasure of marking Ramadan with Muslim communities across our country. It is always an honour to partake in this sacred tradition, which rests upon our shared values of empathy, generosity and discipline.
“This year, I had the opportunity to join families at gatherings in Mississauga at the Sayeda Khadija Centre, and in Calgary at the Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre. Sitting together with members of the Muslim community to break the fast was an enriching experience. At one of the gatherings, a group of interfaith leaders joined us to share in the spirit of the community. For me, there could not be a more Canadian way to mark the holy month. These occasions serve as an important reminder that our nation is stronger not in spite of our differences, but precisely because of them.”
Eid al-Fitr (July 28, 2014): “Eid al-Fitr recognizes the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, spiritual reflection, and recommitment to the principles of charity and compassion. Muslims will come together at the end of this month to take part in the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast.
“Over the past month, I have had the great pleasure of joining members of the Muslim community in observing Ramadan, including at an Iftar dinner in Toronto. After witnessing this community coming together and the shared values that unite us, it is clear that Canada is made strong not in spite of our differences, but because of them.
“We must also take this opportunity to consider those Muslims around the world who are unable to enjoy a safe and peaceful Eid with loved ones. To those families and communities, I wish them the comfort and blessings that people of all faiths are able to share in Canada.”
Eid-al-Fitr (August 7, 2013): “As the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close, on behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada, I’m delighted to extend my warmest greetings to members of the Muslim community as you celebrate Eid-al-Fitr.
“Eid-al-Fitr is a time to cultivate a spirit of peace, forgiveness and unity. It is also a time to reflect on the value of friendship and family, the importance of charity and of helping those in need.
“Throughout this holy month, Muslims in Canada and around the world have been fasting and engaging in deep spiritual reflection.
“Ramadan teaches the values of empathy, generosity and discipline – vital principles upon which Canada is also founded. They are tenets of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees those things sacred to you, to me and to all people with whom we share this great land.
“Canada is so enriched by its diversity of cultures, languages and religions. Thanks to the hard work and co-operation of our many cultural and religious communities, we have built a country based on a shared belief in respect, understanding and friendship.”
Trudeau insists: “Islam is not incompatible with Western secular democracy”
In two separate interviews to CBC during recent months, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau firmly maintained that Islam is compatible with Western open and secular democracy:
(November 24, 2015): “Canadians are quick to point out that ISIS is wrong, that Islam is not incompatible with the Western secular democracy, a free place like Canada.”
(January 31, 2016): “But on the other hand, we need to make sure that we’re working with communities like the Muslim community for example to demonstrate that Islam is not incompatible with free and open Western societies.”
Living in Anglo-America 