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Muslims are following, not leading

Reader comment on item: Enforce Islamic Law in Canada?

Submitted by Pat (United States), Sep 27, 2005 at 14:30

Muslim sensitivities are just the latest ones being kowtowed to, but they aren't the first. Muslims are simply exploiting the avenues we Westerners have opened up in our own societies.

The French example is the only one I would ascribe to Muslim presence in Western society and that might never have happened but for 9/11. The Danish laws you cited are simply having more effect on Muslims, but I would argue that it is coincidental. Some Americans are seeking immigration reform to curb visa abuse, but Muslims aren't solely or even mainly to blame. Atheists were the first to seek to ban prayer in public schools and nativity scenes and Christmas carols on public property. Muslims are simply following their example.

Weapon screenings on airlines began decades ago as a result of hijackings by Westerners who wanted, for some reason, to go to Cuba. Muslim hijackings in the seventies and eighties had little effect on these procedures because in those days hijackers still used guns and didn't seek to fly the planes themselves.

Only 9/11 forced us to expand this procedure, to the point where driving is more convenient, in many cases.
What I don't understand about the situation in Ontario is how the Arbitration Act would enable Sharia, since all agreements must be in accord with Canadian law. Does Canada allow pre-pubescent girls to marry? Is polygamy legal in Canada? Don't women have equal rights with men in Canada in a divorce action? Wouldn't Canada have to sign off on a divorce decree? How can it be legal if both sides are not equally represented?

Sharia may make women subservient, but how is that in accord with Canadian law? Sharia and arbitration would seem to be mutually exclusive.
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