Mourning Mehdi

ON BEHALF of the Casey Multifaith Network, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Doctor Mehdi Ali Qamar. We are saddened and disappointed to hear of his tragic murder in Pakistan.
Humanity is made up of a lot of different people. We do not all share the same faith, religion, world view, beliefs and practices. That is probably the most obvious single observation we can make about the world. And because that is how things always have been and always will be, it seems absurd that some of us have not accepted that. We will never all be the same. But we can determine to live well together in peace, harmony, and mutual respect and tolerance.
It is such a tragedy that some people feel they need to use violence in the face of differences. We stand with Waheed Ahmad Chatha (News, 12 June) and his family as they remind us that the response to such violence is prayer and peacemaking. Our prayers and best wishes are with them and all who knew and loved Doctor Mehdi.
If any good can come from such a tragedy, please let this remind us all to be tolerant, respectful, and curious to understand people of other faiths and belief systems. Let us not be frightened or ignorant, but rather become informed and gracious.
Jim Reiher,
President of the Casey Multifaith Network.