Canadians Allow Islamic Courts To Decide Disputes: Sharia Gains Foothold in Ontario

The Washington Post ^ | April 28, 2004 | DeNeen L. Brown

[quidnunc]

Toronto – Suad Almad, her head wrapped in a blue silk scarf, was discussing her beliefs with a group of friends. She said fervently that she thought the lives of all Muslims should be governed by Islamic law, known as sharia.

"It's something nobody can change and we must follow," said Almad, who came to Canada from Somalia, then engulfed by war, more than 12 years ago. "We come to Canada and we become lost … We need our own court and we need our own law," she said, her voice strong and certain. "That's what I believe."

Almad and thousands of other Muslims, taking advantage of a provision of the law in the province of Ontario, can now decide some civil disputes under sharia, including family disagreements and inheritance, business and divorce issues, using tribunals that include imams, Muslim elders and lawyers. While it is less than full implementation of sharia, local leaders consider it a significant step.

-snip-

[quidnunc]

Sooner or later they're going to rue the day they did this.

[blandbutmarvellous]

"We need our own court and we need our own law..."

Then you need to go back to your own country.

[spyone]

Ultimately, this will end up biting the Muslims in the butt. There will be some divorce dispute, the Imams will decide the woman is subhuman and get nothing, she will run to the human rights commission looking for retribution, and Canadian taxpayers will find out this whole bullcrap cost them millions...all in the name of politically correct mulitculurism.

[tkathy]

Will they have public amputations? Honor killings being excused?

[Birdlady]

Let's (including *us* North Americans), go to Somalia (or other Muslim country) and demand "our own court and our own law".....

Ya think that would fly? Nope........I didn't think so either........Gimme a *(*$# break!) Get them OUTTA here........N O W !!!!!!!!!!!!

[cherry]

does it include female circumcision?...how about murdering your dtr or wife because someone raped her?....or perhaps cutting hands off for cheating at cards..( I admit, I have thought of that...lol)

[free2freep]

These Somali primitives, who come to the West not even knowing how to use a doorknob are lecturing us on our legal system.

Oooooookay.....

[rogueleader]

Welcome, Muslims!

We infidels are soooo glad you came.

Please take whatever you want. If you ever get angry with us, let us know. We'll do whatever you want so that you won't be angry.

Would you like to blow up some of our children or maybe a train or a building? Go right ahead.

This is Muslim land now.

We white people have oppressed you brown skinned people for too long.

Now you can have our whole country and enslave us.

Please come to North America, and colonize the whole place.

Just swarm all over.

We are your humble servants.

Are we bowing sufficiently low?

Would you like to take my son out back and use him as you see fit? Perhaps my old dog instead?

[free2freep]

Now you're getting it.

[sockmonkey]

Please tell me I'm hallucinating this. OMG!.

[Threepwood]

While it is less than full implementation of sharia, local leaders consider it a significant step.

A significant step towards *what* exactly?

[RussianConservative]

Kanooks are kooks, just look to Nigeria for effect of Shari and Christians. Idiots, simple idiots.

[A Jovial Cad]

*Sooner or later they're going to rue the day they did this.*

Yep, you're right. But, sooner or late, some Dimocrat in this country, in the name of "cultural diversity," is going to take up that banner and insist we recognize such "law" (*Sharia* recognition, they'll call it) *here*--and what you want to bet that every DUmmy Earthworm over in the "underground" won't be enthusiastically beating that tom-tom through every thread? It will spread to the campuses, and then P.C. citadels like San Fran and Ithaca, N.Y. will soon pass "Sharia resolutions" that negate the bed-rock principles of Western-Civ law.
For those who think I'm slightly paranoid about the matter: take out the word *Sharia* and replace it with "gay marriage rights," and you'll have your answer. The Left in this country not only hates America--they actively leap at every opportunity to help it commit moral & cultural suicide. Thus, mark my words, look for the insanity of our Northern neighbors to soon be insisted on by the standard bearers of "progress" down here.

[Tropicalwatcher]

Yes your not seeing things. We are next, and we better know how to fight for are lifes.

[A Jovial Cad]

Forgot to add: I do hope that if they ever *do* decide to allow such nonsense down here thanks to the insistence of our "progressives," they open the first such "court" in Berkley, California.
Now *that* would be very interesting.

[river rat]

The very instant one accords recognition of a murderous cult - as a religion, entitled to considerations that murderous cult would NEVER grant to you in THEIR country you have insanely fallen in the Islamic trap...

Muslims that can not, or will not obey the law of the country they come to UNINVITED --- should be immediately deported..

They must make a choice --- for themselves...

Semper Fi

[dpwiener]

I have no problem with this. After reading the entire article, it appears this is no different than what the American Arbitration Association (AAA) does. Disputants can voluntarily agree to use a Sharia court to resolve their differences, but no one is forced to, and it doesn't apply to criminal matters.

The main criticism seems to be that some Muslims, especially women, may be pressured into accepting the Sharia courts. Of course the same criticism is often made of the AAA, namely that big businesses are able to impose arbitration agreements on customers or employees due to their unequal bargaining leverage.

Quite frankly, I don't feel that sorry for a Muslim who voluntarily agrees to Sharia proceedings and then isn't happy with the outcome. Part of the price of freedom is responsibility. If you can't withstand peer pressure, then you will just have to accept the consequences of your lack of gumption.

[Mitchell]

Ping.

[A Jovial Cad]

*I have no problem with this*

Ummmm...you're kidding, right? If so, and I assume you must be, you forgot to turn the Sarcasm *off* (/).

You simply can't be serious--and remain *serious* to anyone with an intellect that approaches the low seventies.