Source: Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, October 13, 2002: Since the beginning of this new millennium Queen Elizabeth ll, head of state of the United Kingdom, Canada and 14 other realms, has made several public gestures that support religious faiths in general. Her most recent expression of good will towards the multi-faith community was at a Thanksgiving service on Parliament Hill in Canada’s capital city. Representatives from the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Aboriginal communities all attended a multi-faith service with the Queen and her husband, Prince Phillip. This was the first time the Queen had worshipped with other religious faiths on Canadian soil. Each year on December 25, the Queen, who considers herself to be a devout Christian, delivers a “Speech from the Throne.” In 2001, the Queen said, “We all have something to learn from one another, whatever our faith — be it Christian or Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or Sikh.” Ian Bradley, author of a recently published book called “God Save the Queen: The Spiritual Dimension of Monarchy”, says, “Her inclusiveness of other religions signals a subtle shift to a broader and more inclusive role as defender of religious faith more generally and focus of loyalty and tolerance within the multi-faith communities that comprise the Commonwealth.” This year alone, between June and August in England, Her Majesty visited a Hindu temple, a Jewish museum, an Islamic center and a Sikh congregation. On June 10, the Queen hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for representatives of different faiths.” John Aimers, dominion chairman of the Toronto-based Monarchist League of Canada, says, “She is a tolerant person who wants everyone to be comfortable in their faith as she has found comfort and support in hers.”