Sharia - the creeping scourge of islam takes root in Canada

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Good to see that even modern muslim women, living in a civilized society, don't want to live under the barbarism of sharia. This article is from the Toronto Star, a traditional voice from the left.

Toronto Star




Alia Hogben doesn't want to be waging a public battle with her fellow Muslims. But she and other women such as her are speaking out these days because they fear Muslim women's rights will be threatened by new civil tribunals due to open soon in Ontario.

What is upsetting Hogben and many other Muslim women in the province is that the tribunals will arbitrate marriage, family and business disputes based on Sharia, a 1,300-year-old body of Islamic laws.

At times, practising Muslims admit, Sharia law has been misused to deprive women of their rights. Critics question whether the proposed tribunals will, for instance, favour men over women in pre-marital agreements or in divorce settlements.

The Arbitration Act, which governs tribunals, provides safeguards against wrongdoing. Besides decreeing that rulings must be consistent with Canadian laws, it ensures there is a right to appeal decisions to a regular court. And choosing to use a tribunal is voluntary. No one can be forced to give up their right to have a case heard in a regular court.

But again critics question whether the process will indeed be voluntary, or whether women will be pressured by their religious leaders and their communities into participating. Immigrants, who do not know the English language or their rights in Canada, would be especially vulnerable.

"Women are afraid they will not be `good' Muslims if they don't go along with (the tribunals) or that they'll be accused of blasphemy," Hogben says.