Resources

This section contains links to news, articles and events of interest to SALDA.

Articles on the controversy surrounding Shariat Law and the creation of Sharia Tribunals in Canada:

MARION BOYD's review of the use of Muslim personal law (Shariat Law) in arbitrations: Dispute Resolution in Family Law: Protecting Choice, Promoting Inclusion. December 2004.

TARIQ RAMADAN, Egypt Today, December 2004: "The Muslims in Canada’s battle to set up shariah courts to settle domestic disputes is another example of lack of creativity. Within the normative law in Canada, they have huge latitude for Muslims to propose an Islamic contract. These courts are not necessary; all they do is stress the fact that Muslims have specific laws and for the time being this is not how we want to be perceived. We need to show that our way of thinking is universal, that we can live with the law and there is no contradiction". Read more...
SHEILA COPPS, Sharia law is a danger to women, National Post, December 24, 2004: "The report released this week recommending the use of sharia law in Islamic family disputes in Ontario should send a shiver down the spines of women across the country". Read more...
KHALID HASAN, The Daily Times, Lahore, Controversy rages in Canada over Sharia, December 22, 2004:"A battle between progressive and conservative Muslim groups is underway in the Canadian province of Ontario where the latter are demanding legal cover for arbitration of disputes under Sharia law". Read more...
YWCA Toronto Takes a Stand on Sharia Law In Ontario, Some Are More Equal than Others, December 21, 2004. Read more...

CAROLINE MALLAN, Toronto Star, December 21, 2004: "A proposal to allow the use of Islamic principles in settling family disputes in Ontario has been met with outrage by opponents of the plan. Former NDP attorney-general Marion Boyd made the recommendation yesterday in a 150-page report in which she also called for new safeguards to protect the rights of women". Read more...
One law for all, The Montreal Gazette, Sunday, December 19, 2004: "The cornerstone of a modern, multicultural nation such as Canada is an impartial legal code that governs everyone equally, no matter what their ethnic origin, religion, sex, race or age. Aside from immigration law, our statutes and regulations apply equally to aboriginals, United Empire Loyalists and the newest refugee claimants". Read more...