Of late religious freedom is diminishing
some have spoken out strongly
while others have kept strangely quiet
like a sore festering untreated.
Religious freedom is crucial
a responsibility to each one
in a country of multi-racial
one needs a heart with understanding.
We worship God differently
which ever name we call God
we must respect our brethren
to worship God without fear.
Whether we go to the mosque on Fridays
or to church on Sundays
to worship God in prayer
a right to pray without fear.
To worship at a Chinese or Hindu temple
this freedom to worship so fragile
a house of God we enter to praise
can be taken away if misunderstood.
A peaceful nation, loving unity
we of various races and cultures
in one voice let’s call for tolerance
defend our right to religious freedom.
We are mixed with different shades
to ban words used in worship is wrong
our National Language one for all
to be used freely and without fear.
By C.E. Pereira
(12-7-2014)