Sharia Law in Canada
I have been interested in this issue for some time, as some of you know. Sharia law first went on the books because of our previous, corrupt, and terrible Prime Minister. Granted, the presence of Sharia law in Canada is not a blow (yet) to our criminal justice system, as this body of law, with its quasi-judicial, government-recognized tribunal system has been set up to deal with disputes in family law. However, there are plenty of reasons for alarm.
Now, a GOVERNMENT REPORT whitewashes over 1000 years of misogyny practiced in the name of Islam. I view this as the most pressing issue of our time. I quote a slightly altered version of my post on the Yahoo Message boards, where I responded to one Peta_Wabbit's claim that this is nothing that will violate anyone's rights:
"Sharia is not going to be imposed on anyone who doesn't willingly subscibe to the concept - only Muslims devout enough to believe in the supremacy of their god and religious tenets in matters of FAMILY LAW." (Peta_Wabbit)
Simply wrong. One is a Muslim from birth; one doesn't opt in (unless one converts), and one can't opt out. The penalty for apostasy against Islam, or ceasing to be a Muslim in most Islamic countries, is death. Several months ago, the President of a large Canadian Islamic organization said that those who rejected the Islamic tribunals rulings should be considered "blasphemers and apostates"; in other words, he used the strongest language possible, language used to justify execution. The psychological pressure on women, particularly, to knuckle under this antiquated and misogynistic law is huge. Let's say a husband and a wife go to a tribunal. The husband, of course wins (those overseeing the tribunal still hold the REAL principles of Sharia law dear). The wife can ignore the ruling, and attempt to go into the secular court system. In doing so, all her Muslim acquaintances will be told to consider her "a blasphemer and an apostate." She will have no home, and no friends; she may be harassed. If she is a recent immigrant, she may have no non-Muslim Canadian friends, either, and she will be totally isolated and very vulnerable.
Just when Canada is actively working to end discrimination against gays and lesbians, perhaps only 3 to 4% of Canada's population, in matters of marriage, the Canadian government is selling out the rights and well-being of Muslim women, members of one of Canada's fastest growing religions, to the very real and oppressive patriarchy of an Islamic tribunal system, based on Sharia law. There is no question that many Canadian women who are Muslims will greatly suffer under this warped judicial system which is so much at odds with Canadian values and basic human rights.
It is time to end the practice of allowing religious tribunals to settle matters of family law. Prime Minister Martin, please act at once to remove this odious law, and please actively work against this most recent governmental whitewashing in Ontario of the issues involved. I urge the rest of my Canadian readers to please communicate your concern to your local newspaper, your MP, the PM's office, and to your MPP if you live in Ontario.
Now, a GOVERNMENT REPORT whitewashes over 1000 years of misogyny practiced in the name of Islam. I view this as the most pressing issue of our time. I quote a slightly altered version of my post on the Yahoo Message boards, where I responded to one Peta_Wabbit's claim that this is nothing that will violate anyone's rights:
"Sharia is not going to be imposed on anyone who doesn't willingly subscibe to the concept - only Muslims devout enough to believe in the supremacy of their god and religious tenets in matters of FAMILY LAW." (Peta_Wabbit)
Simply wrong. One is a Muslim from birth; one doesn't opt in (unless one converts), and one can't opt out. The penalty for apostasy against Islam, or ceasing to be a Muslim in most Islamic countries, is death. Several months ago, the President of a large Canadian Islamic organization said that those who rejected the Islamic tribunals rulings should be considered "blasphemers and apostates"; in other words, he used the strongest language possible, language used to justify execution. The psychological pressure on women, particularly, to knuckle under this antiquated and misogynistic law is huge. Let's say a husband and a wife go to a tribunal. The husband, of course wins (those overseeing the tribunal still hold the REAL principles of Sharia law dear). The wife can ignore the ruling, and attempt to go into the secular court system. In doing so, all her Muslim acquaintances will be told to consider her "a blasphemer and an apostate." She will have no home, and no friends; she may be harassed. If she is a recent immigrant, she may have no non-Muslim Canadian friends, either, and she will be totally isolated and very vulnerable.
Just when Canada is actively working to end discrimination against gays and lesbians, perhaps only 3 to 4% of Canada's population, in matters of marriage, the Canadian government is selling out the rights and well-being of Muslim women, members of one of Canada's fastest growing religions, to the very real and oppressive patriarchy of an Islamic tribunal system, based on Sharia law. There is no question that many Canadian women who are Muslims will greatly suffer under this warped judicial system which is so much at odds with Canadian values and basic human rights.
It is time to end the practice of allowing religious tribunals to settle matters of family law. Prime Minister Martin, please act at once to remove this odious law, and please actively work against this most recent governmental whitewashing in Ontario of the issues involved. I urge the rest of my Canadian readers to please communicate your concern to your local newspaper, your MP, the PM's office, and to your MPP if you live in Ontario.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home