The Canadian Champion, Friday, January 28, 20051-117 Islamic trihuinals settin2 off alarrn hells sp1eaker By MELANIE CUIMMINGS Special ta The Champion A local group dedicated 10 securing equality for wonîen otn an international scale is n0W focused on Muslim women living in ibeir mîdst. Business and Professional Women of Haliori (BPW> leamed fast wcek about how arbitration courts set up in Ontario are operating wiîhouî any checks and bal- anices. These tribunals allow people in confliet tu turo to faith-based courts t0 setule cus- tody, divorce and inheritance cases only. It's also a cost-saving fast track. But speciftcally, Islamic arbitration tri- bunals recently created in the province are setting off alarmi hello in the communîty. Hoda Fabmy, a Canadian-bom practie- ing Muslim, shed light on the controversy at BPW's January 19 meeting at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club. Ms Fahmy is a board member of tbe Federation of Musltm Women. wbîcb is also dedicated to gamnering wornen's equality. The storm centres on the termn Sharta law. Tbe lslamnic tenet typîcally conjures brutal news images of Muslim women liv- ing in far-off couritries. wbo bave been accused of adultery, being publicly sioned. and bauds of convicted thieves being cul off, said Ms Fabmy. Wben tbe lslamnic Institution of Civil Justice created a Musliru arbitration count in the province, witb Sharia law as tts guide, it prompted widespread concern. 'bis Muslim board is the latest addition to faitb-based judicial tribunals. Jewish and Christian faiths bave been operating tbeir own religious arbitration courts since the Ontario Arbitration Act was introduced in 1991. The tact that tbese other alternative judi- ciaries bave operated witbout controversy bas Ms Fabmy wondering about a racîst element to tbe debate. "Concerns ibat Muslini arbîtrators won't act or operate according to Canadian laiss is racist tbînking. Wbat makes a Muslîm less law-abiding tban another?' sbe asked. Wbile these arbitration tributials cati apply religîous ideals 10 tbe decîstons, tbey must operate witbin Canadian laws and botb panies bave t0 agree to go this route. More importantly, discussion about these faitb-based tribunals sbould be focused on tbeir lack of accountability added Ms Fahmy. The problem lies witb tbe lack of rules and safeguards in tbese alternative courts, sbte said. Currently there are no requiremenîs to -see GLARING on page 8 FOR 1VO-fAIEJV~ Nutrition & Fitness Centers Photo by SABRINA BYRNES Guest speaker Macla Fahmny, a board member for the Federation of Muslim Women, talks about the Impact of Sharia Iaw. GERETW e EI & L S COM CIN Dr. Henry Lau, M.D. * Laser Hair Removal * Laser Vein Removal * Photo Skin Rejuvenation * Laser Pigmented Lesion Removal " Medical Microdermabrasion * Acne Treat ment & Prevention FDA Approved Laser for Men & Women - ncai Av. Sut*#0 90.0298 99 sww.aerd. A FIA - SAI'DA -iUDY 1:0NON :0P BRDI nEIHRÏRDS 35CA FOR RSUI 1 A PELI Beid Ersel' nPl 58454 r, «2I have mov enemu and drive, and Ii ie I can accomplih anytbing Iput my mind to. » - Terezvu N.vak Become the uliaeyou i 2005 toftal het-dth with 30-inute ezudae nutritiond al oe re.'p.I CIsonl' coach money backpwursst Mfrfr one lowprcu! CALL 310-TRUE 87 83 575 Oatado Some (&fluy@"adog) Mwu'&truestar. com %&ý àdup»WIZfr WUk.Png