The visitor-to-be was Dr Zakir Naik, an Indian Muslim televangelist. He was to be the keynote speaker at a 'Journey of Faith' Islamic conference, held first-week July in Toronto, according to Imam Saeed Rageah, the head of the Abu Huraira Centre mosque.

Rageah has been the promoter and chairman of the conference for the last three years. Invited speakers this year included Abdul Raheem Green, an advocate of 'Fighting Jihad,' Sheikh Riaz Ansari, known as a co-conspirator in Mumbai's World Trade Centre bombing in 1993, and Abdullah Hakim, who is the carbon copy of Dr Zakir Naik - both have been associated with promoting 'How to beat your wife,' one of Zakir Naik's favourite topics on his TV program.

Naik's other themes are 'Death to Homosexuals,' 'How to kill the Jews,' 'I am for Osama bin Laden.' These openly advocate that every Muslim must be a Jihadi for the sake of Allah, and that 'Jews are filth.'

The cancellation of a visa is no solution in this age of technology (but merely a public relations exercise). All these fire-emitting preachers/speakers are reaching their supporters through the medium of YouTube, Internet, etc. Dr Naik earlier mentioned he will reach his audience at the conference via satellite. To me, the visa cancellation appears to be a political argument to say that the Government is stopping the hate-mongers. In reality, though, the Government is unwittingly promoting them.

People may buy his DVD or CD, and watch and listen to him in seclusion, rather that at a public meeting, which is good enough for brain-washing - like those of the Toronto 18 gang of terrorists. But since these hate-mongers openly recommend death to homosexuals, the Government should have let him come in because, at the same weekend, it was also time for the Pride Week Parade, in walking distance of the 'Journey of Faith' conference.

Looking at the agenda of the conference, it is not really a 'Journey of Faith' as meaning all faiths, for it appears to appeal more - even solely - to Muslims. Nothing wrong with that - but why call it the misleading 'Journey of Faith,' when calling it a 'Journey to the Mosque' might be more appropriate? But that's in keeping with the overall theme, just like Dr Naik calling his TV channel 'Peace' when it might more appropriately be called 'Jihadi.'

Interestingly, looking at Muslim culture, especially in Afghanistan and during the Mughal era in India, homosexuality has been a part of their day to day life and acceptable in society. "Bachcha-bazi" (sex with a male child) has been quite common in Afghanistan - Taliban males proudly boast to their friends of their experience. And it has been the same with Muslim females. Due to strict segregation between male and female - and with women also considered sub-human - lesbianism was sometimes the only outlet for their sexual urges. Sex is a natural phenomenon present in every human being, and it is perhaps religion - as has also happened in the Catholic community - that should be held responsible for this same-sex orientation. Further, Islam also permits multiple marriages, which can further fuel same-sex activity.

'Pride Week' and 'Pride Parade' is the best opportunity for Muslim gays to have their own float at the parade - and Dr Zakir Naik and other speakers should also have been permitted to have a free-speech platform in their float.

The Government shouldn't have let this type of hate conference happen. Such conferences, under cover of freedom of expression, are nothing but a platform to compete with each other as to who spills more poison or spreads the most filth in our peaceful country. The winner will be the biggest bigot.

Incidentally, such bigots do not at all believe in freedom of expression and choice. They only take advantage of the liberal laws of the democracies they live in, or come to Canada from dispensations where one religion takes precedence over other religions.

As is self-evident, it is only in India's democracy, secularism and pluralism that Dr Zamir Naik is enjoying and exercising his freedom of speech and expression. Had he been in Afghanistan or Iran or any other similar Muslim/Arab country, he would have been quietly hanged in the city square, like the Taliban have been wont to do.

- Rajinder Chadha, Brampton

Editor's Note: This letter was received before the 'Journey of Faith' conference was held last weekend in Toronto. At the conference itself, it may be noted the organizers cancelled the planned video-conference address by Dr Zakir Naik, for reasons not yet made public.