May 17, 2013 - Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:
“Canada is deeply saddened by reports of deadly attacks on three Sunni Muslim mosques this morning in Pakistan and Iraq, which have reportedly killed more than 30 people.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these tragic events and their families. This type of cowardly violence fundamentally undermines the freedom to worship safely and peacefully, which is a core principle of freedom of religion. Such violence, perpetrated against any faith community, must not be tolerated. We call on both the Government of Iraq and the Government of Pakistan to promote and protect these freedoms.
“Canada strongly condemns these acts and calls on local authorities to bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice.”
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