Recently Hamish Telford, a political science professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, published a widely-read article dealing with Canadian multiculturalism. It was helpful. It included an observation, however, with which I disagree. He stated that “the governments of Canada will probably have to consider some very thorny issues, such as Sharia law courts, state funding for Islamic schools, and polygamy.” I shall address one of these issues.
In my opinion it would be utter folly to establish Sharia courts. They uphold basic Muslim values which reject democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equal rights for women. Significantly, we all too frequently hear of instances, in lands where Muslims are the majority, of persecution, even killing, of anyone who leaves the Muslim faith. Sharia courts widely uphold such evil.
Concerning rape, for example, Sharia law is brutal and outrageous. Consider the following. “Rape of Muslim women is against Islamic law although the rape of non-Muslim is not [under certain conditions].”
“Islam places the burden of avoiding sexual encounters of any sort on the women.”
“Under Islamic law, rape can only be proven if the rapist confesses or there are four make witnesses.”
“The crime of Zina (fornication and adultery) is not confirmed except if the fornicator admits it, or with the testimony of four trusted men, while the testimony of women is not accepted.”
“Islamic law rejects forensic evidence (such as DNA)....An interesting situation thus sometimes develops in cases where a victim alleges rape and the man denies that sex even took place. In the absence of four witnesses, rape cannot be proven. The woman’s testimony then becomes a ‘confession’ of adultery. She can be stoned, even though the male is unpunished, since he never ‘confessed’ to a sexual act.!”
“Islamic law amounts to a free pass for sexual predators.”
All of these statements are taken from the official site: TheReligionofPeace.com “What does the Religion of Peace Teach About Rape”.
Why would Professor Telford even suggest that Canadian governments consider establishing such a primitive and exploitative legal system? May Canadian society and Canadian governments never stoop that low!
John H. Redekop Ph.D.