Canada Must “Stand on Guard” Against Sharia

While two years ago, the Quebec National Assembly unanimously supported a motion to block the use of Sharia law in Quebec courts, the powers that be in Ontario chose to move more cautiously, as though they couldn’t come up with a little common sense on their own; after reviewing the Arbitration Act, they listened to people’s responses and accepted their denouncement of this ancient set of rules that permit atrocities against women: in 2005, Ontario rejected the use of Sharia Law. (They also moved to prohibit all religious-based tribunals for family arbitration and assured it wasn’t anti-Muslim sentiment at the root of the opposition).

Hopefully, today, the people of Turkey will be as equally successful. Facing an election in July, tens of thousands of Turkish residents – that’s tens of thousands of Muslims –are taking to the streets protesting against Sharia Law which they say is “creeping” into their secular law. Turkey, at present, is a secular state and they want to keep it that way. And let’s face it, they know of what they speak! As one protester said “We are here so that the future generations of our children can see good days. We are here so that they can see a totally independent Turkey, free of backwardness and Sharia” .

The decision in Canada against Sharia Law is a sound one, and must be affirmed province by province every time Sharia Law rears its ugly head. We need to continuously affirm our clear intentions for a secular society and a pluralistic society — one that considers the good of all, not of a few. We also need to remain on guard against Sharia Law entering Canada in any other hidden or official capacity – Including the latest attempt – Through banking and big business!

Bank of Nova Scotia and Toronto-Dominion Bank attended the Islamic Finance World conference in Toronto last week to consider offering Sharia-compliant banking. Many banks offer “sharia-complaint” investments. It sounds harmless. Interest free loans – ladaladalada . “It mustn’t have anything to do with me”, you might say. ”It’s the banks, big business. Surely they wouldn’t allow anything dangerous and insidious to enter Canada under their noses while they make billions of dollars off it “. Let’s not put our heads in the sand. Even universities, once the protector of freedom of expression, are daily under attack by sensitive, radical Jihadists who want to alter North America’s notion of freedom of expression, so that they are protected from having their feelings hurt. And universities are bowing to the pressure!

Sharia-based anything must not be allowed to cross our borders – especially under the guise of organizations deemed reputable like universities and banks. (OK. I may be stretching things to call banks reputable. In fact, I’m sure I am. Which is all the more reason for a swift and unconditional “No” to Sharia banking.)

We must be thankful to the Islamic Institute of Civil Justice. Because of their efforts, Canadian citizens were enlightened about the widespread use of religious tribunals in family matters and also became more familiar with Sharia Law; its no longer some obscure term bantered around on some boring late-night political panelist show. Radical men, who have chosen to live in our secular society, want this law and the power it gives them over their women, their money, their marriages, and their children. Not in Canada, I say.

Let’s all practice our faiths at churches, mosques, temples – at home, in the quiet of our souls and hearts and minds – Not in our courts. Not in our banks. Not in our universities. Amen to that.