April-May  2005 
Year 11    No.107

Cover Story


Canadian Muslim group backs same–sex marriage

BY NARGIS TAPAL

OTTAWA, February 2, 2005.

The Muslim Canadian Congress, a Toronto-based grassroots organisation, has welcomed the legislation presented by Justice Minister Irvin Cotler that re-defines marriage to include same-sex partners, and has urged Muslims and other minority groups to stand in solidarity with gays and lesbians.

Addressing a press conference in Ottawa this morning, Rizwana Jafri, president of the MCC said Muslim Canadians have experienced life as a marginalised minority and have relied on the Canadian Charter to fight for their right to be treated as equal citizens. "It is incumbent upon us, as a minority, to stand up in solidarity with Canada’s gays and lesbians despite the fact that many in our community believe our religion does not condone homosexuality," she added.

"This legislation is not about religion; it is about fundamental and universal human rights that are a guarantee that all Canadians, irrespective of their religious or ethnic background, feel part of the same family. While within this family we may agree to disagree, we must respect each other and treat others with dignity; that is a hallmark of civil society," Ms. Jafri added.

Tarek Fatah, host of the CTS-TV show, The Muslim Chronicle, criticised the fear-mongering started by some religious institutions against same-sex marriage. "The religious institutions who are spreading fear among their congregations are not being honest about this law. No mosque, church, temple, or synagogue will ever have to conduct a same-sex marriage if they don’t wish to. The guarantee of the freedom of religion in our Constitution and the legislation presented today ensure that every Canadian will continue to have the right to practice their religion as they deem fit. However, freedom of religion cannot come at the cost of limiting the rights of other groups in society."

Barrister Arif Raza told the press conference that he understood the concerns of some Muslims who are worried that allowing same-sex marriages will dilute the institution of marriage, but emphasised that those asking for Prime Minister Martin to use the Notwithstanding Clause should understand that one day, the rights of Muslims too could be compromised if using the Notwithstanding Clause became a precedent.

"I urge Canada’s Muslim community and other minority communities to show solidarity with Canada’s gays and lesbians even if they have reservations about homosexuality. We don’t have to agree with each other to stand up for the human rights of those with whom we disagree," Mr. Raza added. He asked Canadians to be generous, kind and compassionate in this matter. By supporting the rights of a minority, we will be able to walk with our heads held high among the nations of this earth. "Today we have an opportunity to stand tall and demonstrate that fighting for human rights is only worthwhile when we fight it for the other, not just for ourselves," said Arif Raza.

(www.muslimwakeup.com)

 

Let's be consistent

Muslims should protest Iranian and Saudi hijab policies too

BY TAREK FATAH

March 14, 2004: The French law banning the hijab in that country’s public school system has outraged the North American Muslim community and many civil liberty activists. Considering that France has been vocal in its support of the Muslim world in international affairs, many Muslims are bewildered by President Jacques Chirac’s ill-advised initiative.

Recently, anger against the French proposal brought about a hundred Toronto Muslims to the streets. In freezing temperatures, they stood outside the French consulate waving placards and raising slogans to register their protest. However, as I marched in solidarity with my fellow Muslims, I couldn’t help but realise that our reaction to the French initiative was not based on universal principles.

The French law may be foolish — if not outright racist — but our outrage against it leaves the door open for others to accuse us of double standards. If Muslims feel governments have no business dictating what their citizens should, or should not wear, then we need to apply this principle to all governments, not just the French.

If we consider the French law against the hijab offensive, then the Saudi and Iranian laws enforcing compulsory wearing of the hijab should also be condemned because they take away a woman’s right to choose.

While the proposed French law would ban Muslim women from wearing the hijab in school, the Saudi and Iranian laws ban women from appearing in public without the hijab.

Why then are we not questioning the hijab laws of Saudi Arabia and Iran? Why is our anger directed against the French alone? Is it because Saudi Arabia and Iran are Muslim countries?

I asked a number of people at the demonstration whether they were willing to stage a similar protest against Saudi Arabia and Iran. While some agreed with my rationale, many more answered my questions with empty stares or a flat refusal to even entertain such a discussion.

(Tarek Fatah is a founding member of the Muslim Canadian Congress and host of the weekly Canadian TV show, The Muslim Chronicle).

 


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