|
| |
Send us an
email
share your ideas
or anything else for the Campaign, We'll post your e-mail on this page
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 7:08 PM
Thanks for the update,I really wonder why Sheema Khan is a
proponent for "Shariah-Law in Canada,she sits on a Civil
Rights board and appears to condone Shariah as a form of
Liberating Females.
gary
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 5:41 PM
Subject: Re: There is no room for Sharia
in Canadian society
Dear Homa:
I am with you on this
journey. It may be a long one, but destiny is on
horizon and we
are certain we will get
there soon.
It is an honor to
be part of the appeal team when we get to that
point.
Please keep me on your
list for the upcoming meetings.
Regards,
David Mario Farmani
Farmani Law Office and Associates
Barristers and Solicitors
David Mario Farmani, PhD, JD, LLM (Tax and
Corporation)
The Madison Centre
4950 Yonge Street
Suite 1202
North York, ON
M2N 6K1
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 12:25 PM
Subject: [Bulk] RE: Speaker Invitation to the
Canadian International Law Students' Conference ;
> Homa, > My name is Tahir Aslam Gora. I am an exile Writer from
Pakistan living in > Hamilton Ontario. I received your invitation to speak out
against Sharia > Court. Sure, I would love to participate. For my bio and
details of my > struggle for Freedom, you can check my website,
newislam.org, This website > already condemning the proposal of Shariah Law. If you get
chance, please > enter my name "Tahir Aslam Gora" in any search engine like
yahoo, you will > find couple of web links regarding my intro. > Recently I addressed to my Foundation's Forum and
expressed my concerns as > follow: > {NO SHARIAH IN CANADA > The New Islam Foundation urges the Ontario Government to
withdraw the > Proposal of Shariah Law. > "Instead of moving towards more secularism, Canadian
politicians are trying > to push the society to the ditch of backwardness and
segregation", these are > the remarks of Mr. Tahir Aslam Gora, President of The New
Islam Foundation. > He was addressing to the executive committee of The
Foundation. Mr. Gora, > author and activist, urged the authorities to keep intact
the secular > gesture of the society. "I don't understand what's the
need of this debate > even, if Ms. Marion Boyd concludes that Muslims have the
right to seek > religious arbitration and mediation for family disputes
such as divorce, > custody and inheritance cases, then who will watch the
transparency of this > shariah law within the Muslim communities?" After putting
this question, he > expressed another concern, "I must say Canadian
Politicians must understand > the complexities of the tribal values of Muslim Community,
If any law such > as shariah Law start prevailing parallel, then most of the
justice seeking > Muslim women won't knock the existing Canadian laws, they
will go for > Islamic arbitrations and they might bear the injustice for
the sake of > Islamic honour, so this shariah Law might be a sort of
honour killing in > Canada. Canadian Politicians need to learn this reality
that we the Muslim > people are more religion bound people than anybody else.
On the name of > religion, we are always ready to sacrifice our lives,
rationality, justice > and even human rights. When we bring shariah within our
circle, then every > thing has to be determined according to the Shariah.
Although, Ms. Marion > Boyd sees in her capacity that she is actually not going
to introduce > Shariah Law and announces, 'it's just a Muslim family
law'. And then > question arises, what is a 'Muslim family law'? "Muslim
Family Law" is a > part of Shariah Law. That's why, The Islamic Institute of
Civil Justice > echoing on its website
http://muslim-canada.org, 'Muslim minorities living
> in non-Muslim countries like Canada are like wandering
Bedouins to whom > Shariat applies regardless of where they live. Although
they are free to > live according to the Divine Law, and practice their faith
unhindered in > their homes and masjids they have practically no say in
the making of the > laws of the land, and governmental institutions do not
cater to their > needs.'" > Mr. Gora further said, "what ever you name or shape this
law, this is slap > on the secular image of Canada. We expect our beloved
country Canada moving > towards more secular gesture like France did. France
banned religious > symbols for its secular gesture and we are trying to push
our country to the > ditch backwardness and segregation."} >
> Dear Huma, > If you feel you can circulate my email to your group
people. I would like to > visit your organization friends some time. We may have
possibility of > working together. > Regards > Tahir Aslam Gora
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 2:55 AM
Subject: Against Shari'a Law
I
am not in the habit of sending long emails; however,
considering this our first communication, I thought it
necessary to state who I am, what I have done and would like
to do without duplicating efforts made by yourself or other
supporting individuals or organizations. As an executive
member of the Waterloo-Wellington Provincial Liberal Riding
Association-Chair of Multiculturalism and President of the
Perth-Wellington Federal Liberal Riding Association,
resources are available that may be beneficial. I have
already spent countless hours researching Sharia Laws and
made two presentations to Ontario Liberal Riding
Associations. Both ridings passed a motion to send a letter
to the Premier with c.c. to Ms. Boyd and Ms. Pupatello
objecting to Sharia Laws in Ontario. I have since learned
that one letter was vetoed by the sitting MPP. I have also
emailed another sitting MPP requesting their stand on this
issue and the reply was in accordance to Party practices
while other MPP’s did not respond. Two frivolous letters
have been received by the Premier. I have also conducted my
own surveys, which have been forwarded to the Premier, Ms.
Boyd and Ms. Pupatello. If you wish, I will forward this to
you. The local paper is on board as well. I have been in
contact with Canadian Council of Muslim Women- Ms. Alia
Hogben.
Considering Ms. Hogben is requesting a meeting with the
Premier in January, I have concluded that it would be too
time consuming to continue to make this presentation to
individual Liberal Riding Associations plus any riding
association with a sitting MPP would probably adhere to
Party practices and veto any decisions made by executive
members. However, if you think differently, I will
continue.
Although I have noticed that Ms. Hogben’s letter to the
Premier was c.c. to both opposition leaders, I feel this
might be premature, as the current government must be given
some time to decide what to do with Ms. Boyd’s report.
However, I do feel that we must quickly engage individuals
and Liberal members in order to increase pressure.
I
noticed that the website regarding Resolution 04-11-01 was
last updated on Dec. 22/04-after the release of Ms. Boyd’s
report. Am I correct to understand this Resolution is
current? Will you grant permission to download and copy the
Resolution?
Question: Can individuals sign this or is it just for
organizations?
Also, I would need to know which organizations are
supporting this cause. If you have not contacted the Women’s
Institute, I would be happy to do so. Likewise, the
Universities in Guelph and Waterloo as well as Conestoga
College.
I
have only read one story where injustice was experienced
with arbitration. When
appealing for support, it is easier and more powerful when
actual experiences can be divulged. Is there someone that I
can contact to get this information.
Ms. Arjamond, I want to be involved, please contact me.
Heidy Schmidt
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 12:20 PM
Subject: [Bulk] Re: Speaker Invitation to the
Canadian International Law Students' Conference ;
Dear Homa,
What an honour to be invited to
speak here! Congratulations! It shows you're doing a good
thing and that your campaign is succesful. Keep it up!
Kind regards,
margot grant
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:39 AM
Subject: Speaker Invitation to the Canadian
International Law Students' Conference ;
> Congratulations! Homa, on your invitation as Speaker > at the Canadian International Law Students' > Conference! > Best wishes, > Maria
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:10 AM
Subject: [Bulk] Re: Speaker Invitation to the
Canadian International Law Students' Conference ;
Thanks Homa for keeping me informed. I would like very
much to have someone conduct
an interview with you for Tolerance.ca If you know of
someone, please let me know.
I have spoken with the journalist to whom you referred
me to but we have not reached
an agreement. Let's keep in touch.
Best regards,
Victor
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 3:19 PM
Dear Mr. President,
I am a friend of
Hajiyeh Esmaelvand - she is a woman
who is going to be stoned to death in Iran by the end of
December, and as a friend of hers, I can only beg you to
forgive her!
Please, as a 14 year old she still has a lot to offer
this graceful, rich country that needs the support of
all its beautiful citizens!
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
Hajiyeh
Esmaelvand
has friends expecting to hear from her. We humbly
await you, Sir, to show you mercy, and let
Hajiyeh
Esmaelvand
live a honest life with her family in Iran and
all over the world, including Brazil, where she has
friends hoping to hear from her!
Please,
we here in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil beg for the life of Hajiyeh
Esmaelvand.
We do hope to accredit your mercifulness, acknowledging
that life is the most precious gift ever given by God.
We, in Brazil beg you for the life
ot
Hajiyeh Esmaelvand.
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 1:35 PM
Subject: Stoning of Hajiyeh Esmaelvand
Dear President Khatami,
> In the name of humanity Iran should immediately abolish
stoning as
> inhumane and in the case of Hajiyeh Esmaelvand inappropriate.
>
> Iran should immediately pardon and release all those presently
> imprisoned for extra-marital relations if Iran is to be
considered a member
> of the civilized world.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jennifer L. Rolph, Judicial Assistant to
> Honorable A. Jay Cristol, Chief Judge Emeritus
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 12:21 PM
Subject: I signed petition to save Hajiyyeh
>I want to ask you: why has Nobel Prize winner Shirin Abadi not done > anything to stop this? If she is active to tstop this strocity
please advise > in what capacity is she acting. If she is not acting, she should
be ashamed > before the world. > > Best wishes, > J. Kirkpatrick, PhD
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 12:21 PM
Subject: I signed petition to save Hajiyyeh
I want to ask you: why has Nobel Prize winner Shirin Abadi not done
> anything to stop this? If she is active to tstop this strocity
please advise
> in what capacity is she acting. If she is not acting, she should
be ashamed
> before the world.
>
> Best wishes,
> J. Kirkpatrick, PhD
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 12:21 PM
Subject: I signed petition to save Hajiyyeh
>I want to ask you: why has Nobel Prize winner Shirin Abadi
not done > anything to stop this? If she is active to tstop this
strocity please advise > in what capacity is she acting. If she is not acting, she
should be ashamed > before the world. > > Best wishes, > J. Kirkpatrick, PhD
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 1:50 AM
Subject: Sharia Law in Ontario
homawpi@rogers.comHoma Arjomand Dear Ms Arjomand,
I have read a few journalistic articles about the
possibility of Sharia in Arbitration in Ontario, and it strikes me that you do well
to try to prevent this event. "There must be no state within the state"
indeed. Naturally a lot of the reality will get beclouded in
discussing questions about the difference between Sharia itself and how Sharia,
the Quran and other Islamic traditions are interpreted. Obviously these aren’t
meaningless questions. To consider the case of Christianity, obviously
people of very different concerns and educational understandings can arrive at very
different interpretations of the Bible and what biblical doctrine
teaches and demands. In practical considerations, this interpretive openness directs
our attention to who in a given religious, familial, or political situation will be
the offically recognized interpreters. I would urge you, then to make clear to Canadians who the
interpreters of what Sharia demands in family arbitration situations will
be, and what standards they will apply. Obviously the Islamic arbitrators won’t be
free to do as they wish, using verses from the Quran and Islamic legal
texts as they wish. For example, will Sunni families be judged by Sunni arbitrators,
while Shi’ite families will be judged by Shi’ite arbitrators? Providing
some particulars for the general Canadian public to discuss will bring the
discussions out of a realm where the Prophet, tales from the Arabian Nights, and
video images of Osama bin Laden blur together. The interpretational differences in Christianity could also
provide some perspective for the public discussion. As you know, there
are many passages in the Christian Bible (and in the Judaic Tanakh and Talmud)
which teach the subjection of women. Usually Christianity’s proponents of
subjection for women argue that this subjection is motivated by the utmost in
reverence for women, and I have seen Islamic subjectors of women argue similarly.
Truly enough, however, Christianity’s subjectors of women don’t always
defend the subjection of women on such grounds. St Paul, for instance, argues that
women should be silent in church because women are more easily fool’d by
Satan. Ha! I’m a man, and I don’t think much of my sex’s ability to withstand the
wiles of Satan. In any case, Christian churches that do not call for the
subjection of women can point to a somewhat long history now of accepting women
as preachers, respecting their right to function as legal persons in law
and in business, and in selection of boyfriends and husbands, and in parental
authority and honour. Some churches can show a long history of diminishing
misogynistic Bible verses, and an elevating of biblical doctrines more
favourable to women as the equal partners of men. Admittedly Christianity has had a longer
history within modernity than has Islam, therefore one can’t reasonably
expect Islam to show a similar tradition of promoting equality for women. But
surely the Islamic communities in Canada are eager to develop such a tradition,
right? Can’t you invite them to explain in more detail and in public what
this tradition will look like? Which are its primary passages from the Quran and
other Islamic works? How does sex egalitarian Islam propose to confront and
refute the Muslim fanatics who are today such "bad witnesses" for Islam on
these questions. I definitely don’t say that Islam in Western countries or
anywhere else are obliged to affirm the actual degradation of women in Western
commercail media. Obviously, male and female Islamic scholars and Muslims in
general have every right and surely the duty to oppose such degradation, or at
the very least to make clear that Islam does not endorse such degradation.
This is very different from the strange phenomenon where Muslims in the
West don’t show obvious embarrassment and definite disagreement with the Islamic
"fundamentalists" who impose chador. I know I would feel the most utter horror
and contempt if Christian Methodists in some country of the world were
demanding the subjection of women in accord with the tenets of Methodist Christianity.
I do hope that Islamic men and boys will enjoy the
excitement and life enhancement of relating on terms of equality with women and
girls in various contexts (family, work, school, worship, romance and love).
I feel we in the West have only begun to experience the excitement and life
enhancement that is possible when men and boys are permitted to understand
something of their own emotional lives, and thus to feel no patricular need to
bring in the august authority of God/Allah/Elohim to intimidate women and girls. Even
marital fighting is more interesting and satisfying with a wife who is educated
and feels she the right to stand on her own. So let us see in print and other media discussion the
particualr troubling verses of the Quran and other Islamic texts. Plus an
outline of who the Arbitrators would be and the standards they would apply if
the Islamic Civil Justice Institute were granted power to decide family law for Muslim
citizens of Canada. I think these things would diminish enthusiasm for
Sharia arbitration, and at the same time make clear the function of Islamic belief
and worship in Canada as a country of equality and freedom.
Yours truly, Jonathan Mills, PhD.
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 6:11 PM
Subject: Re: YWCA Toronto Takes a Stand on
Sharia Law
Hello Homa,
Marion Boyd’s report is a real
catastrophy.
I’m writing an article and I need you
to participate :
Homa,I couldn’t beleive my eyes while
reading what she wrote in her report about
polygamy.Could you comment that for me ?
My very modest English wouldn’t help
me to say how desappointed I am with Boyd report!
She adopted the extermits muslims
logical about heritage,plygamy,man superiority basing on
woman aren’t supposed to participate in familial
expenses!!!
I’d like you to react to that.
All the time in her report she was
saying about many aspects of discrimination against
women that it’s logical in Islam.About polygamy,she said
in a paragraph that muslim women have more advantages
than Canadian women because they heritate from their
husband!!!
The logical of her report is that the
gouvernement has not to protect people rights when they
choose the arbitrage and everybody can choose his law to
make arbitrage about family and human rights matters!!!
I know I’m not asking questions.I’m
so desappointed!
** I’d like to have your reaction
about her analyze when she talkes about
polygamy,heritage etc in Islam .She realy shows respect
for this very conservative,very patriarcal logical!! .
**Homa,I’m trying to have an
international reactions against this rapport in my
article .I’ll have representatives from Europeene
Parliement commenting this project.Could you help me by
giving me contacts in Europe or in muslim world.I think
it’s important to make Ontario governement know that
personalities and organizations around the world are
againt this bizarre project.
**I read in your
declarations: “I was surprised that Ms. Boyd didn’t find
any evidence of women suffering from discrimination
during faith-based arbitrations” Our lawyers are
studying the decisions of several arbitration cases and
will bring them to court and expose how women are
victimized by male-dominated legal decisions based on 6th
century religion and traditions.”
could you give
me examples of concret cases of discrimination that
happened in arbitration in Ontario or cases of women
victims of charia ?
**Mme Boyd talked in her report
about many islamists and sometimes she couldn’t hide how
pleased she is about their experience with arbitrage:
Could you please give me more
information about the Chia Ismailits in Ontario? And
about El nour Mosque ? and about Aly Hindy ? Mubin
Shaikh ?
I’d like to say in my article who are
realy this people.
**I read that you oppose
the conclusions of Boyd’s report ‘’because it recommends
using faith-based arbitration and encourages the spread
of Political Islam in Canada. Could you explain
more? How to convinc
my readers that these are not just religious people
trying to practise there religion ?
I’m following your intersting actions
by reading your e-mails.Thanks for that and for your
activism for women rights.
I’ll publish my article next thirsday.
Write me you commentary as soon as
you can ,
waiting for you answer
and for contacts that I may
interview in Europe and muslim world
Excuse my bad English.But I’m trying
my best to improve it.
I’ll call you.
Merci
Homa,
Mounia Chadi,
Journaliste Syfia international
Agency (and) Radio CIBL Montreal
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: Re TVO Interview
Dear Homa,
This is such a betrayal of women, We
should do what Quebec did they veto it - one law for all and it
should be Canadian - maybe the 'Charter of Rights" will work for
us.
Thanks for the information,
Tessa House
Sent: Wednesday, December 22,
2004 3:58 PM
Subject: CNN Interview
Dear Homa,
this is
what we are doing our CNN piece on tomorrw.
I would
be so grateful if you culd assist us with
some of these contacts.
We would
like to interview you tomorrow, being
Thursday at 6P (et) at a studio in Toronto.
Many
Thanks
Nadia
Bilchik
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 12:18 PM
Subject: translation
Dear Homa Arjomand, We're very concerned with Marion Boyd's report.
Thank you for your information, we are in complete solidarity with your
struggle. I was wondering if you could find people to translate your
texts and communiqués in french . It would be of great help for us and
would allow us to publish them on Sisyphe.
Cordialy, Elaine Audet Co-editor of Sisyphe
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 10:19 AM
Subject: media request
Hi Homa,
Thanks for the info about the YMCA and if
you think of any other matter
regarding Marion Boyd 's report, please don't
hesitate to contact me.
Happy holidays and all the best for the New
Year,
Greta
To:
'Homa Arjmand'
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 4:42 AM
Subject: RE : karen lajon from Le Journal Du Dimanche
Thnak you for your answer. I was away in Germany for more
than a week, I was there unable to read my mails. The
article is due to be published this coming Sunday. In the
answer you gave to Mrs Boyd for her final report, you
mention that she was given several reports of abuse during
faith-based arbitration. Could you be kind enough to give me
one.I need it as an example for my article. How is the
general canadian public responding to this report ?
Sincerely yours.
Karen Lajon
reporter of rench Sunday paper
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 6:13 PM
Subject: report
Dear Homa,
Is the 'Boyd report' the report by the government I
asked you about
during the interview? Can you send me more and
detailed
information about it? Is it somewhere accessible? I
might write an
article about it for the 'Jungle World' if I find out
more.
By the way, I sent the interview to Germany which
will be published
in the beginning of the new year. My friend in the
weekly said that it
is very good :-).
I hope that you can give me more information as I
really would like
to force this topic in Germany.
Hope to hear from you.
Best,
Imke
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 5:01 PM
Subject: Re: Sharia Campaign - fin. support.doc
Hi - I read Ms. Boyd's report
today. Very disappointing. I will be sending funds and look
forward to continuing our efforts in banning Sharia from
Ontario.
Again, thank you for fighting the
good fight.
Yours sincerely,
Jane Moseley
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 11:47 AM
Subject: Re: re sharia law
FYI: Link placed on
www.safewatergroup.org
I will try to support your campaign in any way I
can.
Ron
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 9:48
AM
Subject: Re: article on Sharia in
Canada
I am very disappointed. There is no point comparing
the arbitration to the Jewish and Chritisan faiths.
The situation here is different. UK has not allowed
it. Isn't that an indication?
Kumkum Ramchandani
To:
Homa Arjmand
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 8:40 AM
Subject: [Bulk] Re:
GO Homa. All is not lost. You made CBC
radio news. things will get betteer from here ...
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: Marion Boyd report on
arbitration in Ontario
To me, this is a sad day for my province.
Two-tiered government,
legitimized poligamy, child and woman abuse,
this is not Canadian by
any stretch of the imagination and I, for
one, resent very much those
that twist generosity of immigration and
resident status to develop
here what's been left behind. I for one,
will be back on Marion Boyd's
case in a heart beat as well as every other
member of parliament
provincially as well as federally. This, as
far as I am concerned,
this is not over. I will fight two-tiered
government, I will fight
religious courts having any power over our
civil courts. I will wonder
at the airport if that lady and child will
ever be back. This is not a
country of fundamentalism, shame for shame to
those who twist it to be
so. I'm insulted.
Elizabeth
Speaker Invitation to the Canadian International Law
Students' Conference
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 11:41 PM
Subject: Re: Speaker Invitation to the
Canadian International Law Students' Conference
Dear Ms. Arjmand,
Thank you for your interest and for
accepting our invitation. We are
finalizing the list of speakers for our
conference and are preparing a
comprehensive information package to send out
after the holidays. We will
be communicating further details to you once
everything is in order.
Thank you again, and I look forward to our
future correspondence. Please
do not hesitate to contact me if you have any
questions.
Sincerely,
Paul Jonathan Saguil, B.A. (Hons.)
LL.B. Candidate (2007)
Osgoode Hall Law School
York University
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 9:45 PM
Subject: Today's Report
Hi Homa,
I'm sure you are not
surprised by the report. There are some improvements in
the recommendations that I am glad to see, however I am
still concerned that the rights of the individual to the
protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms are secondary to Multiculturism and Freedom of
Religion........I await your response to the report.
Bev
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 9:29 PM
Subject: decision of Marion Boyd
Very disappointed at decision handed down tonight by Ms.
Boyd, as I am sure you are as well. Will continue to
try to encourage others to support the fight.
E.Lydia Macdonald, Port Hope, Ont.
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 8:52 PM
Subject: Request for interview on Dec. 28th
Homa,
Please ignore that last e-mail... I must have
hit a
wrong button.
I was wondering if you might be able to join
me for an
interview next week on Tuesday, Dec. 28th to talk
about the events of the last year and fight
against
Shari'a law in Ontario. We are recapping some of
the
year's most important issues and I would really
like
to talk with you about your work.
The interview could be done live, over the
phone. It
would be about 15 minutes long starting at about
7:40
pm.
Please let me know if this would be possible.
Thank you,
Odelia
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 12:51 PM
Subject: newspaper story
Hello,
Hoping to get some comments
from you regarding Marion Boyd's report. Are you issuing
some sort of press release? If so, could you send it to this
address. Or better yet, could you call me at the number
below so we could chat for a few minutes?
Regards,
Meredith MacLeod
Reporter
The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton, ON
To:
homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 12:41 PM
Subject: Speaker Invitation to the Canadian
International Law Students' Conference
December 20, 2004
Homa Arjomand
Coordinator, International Campaign Against Sharia
Courts
P.O Box 45546
747 Don Mills Road
Toronto, Ontario M3C 3S4
416-737-9500
Dear Ms. Arjomand:
The international law societies of Osgoode Hall
Law School and the
University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, together with
the Journal of
International Law and International Relations (JILIR)
invite you to speak
at the 12th annual Canadian International Law
Students’ Conference
(CILSC) on Saturday, February 26, 2005, to be held in
Toronto, Canada.
The CILSC provides a forum for law students,
academics, practitioners,
and leaders in the field of international law to
exchange ideas in a
collegial atmosphere. The conference has grown to
become a premiere
event, and with the expansion of the conference this
year, we anticipate
an increased attendance, drawing participants from
across Canada, the
United States and abroad. The CILSC is a joint
Osgoode Hall-University of
Toronto initiative. The Osgoode and U of T
international law societies
maintain two of the largest and most active
student-run organizations in
the Canadian legal community and they have been
growing in relevance and
importance over the years.
This year, the conference has evolved into a
two-day event to be held on
February 25-26, 2005. The conference expansion
reflects the
participation of its new partner, JILIR. On the
first day of the
conference, JILIR will present a symposium, titled,
“Threats, Challenges
and Change – the Future of the United Nations.”
JILIR has invited Mr.
Anand Panyarachun, the Chair of the U.N. High-Level
Panel on Threats,
Challenges and Change as the keynote speaker. JILIR
has also already
confirmed the participation of New York University
Professor and leading
international legal scholar, Thomas Franck, and the
UN Assistant
Secretary General, Ramesh Takhur.
On the second day of the conference, the
international law societies will
present panels for which we hope you will be a
speaker. Last year, John
Hancock, Senior Advisor to the Director-General, WTO,
delivered the
opening keynote address. This year, the
Secretary-General of Amnesty
International Canada, Alex Neve, and one of the
leading trade lawyers in
Canada, Lawrence Herman, have already confirmed their
participation at
the conference. In addition, invitations have been
extended to Jim
Peterson, Louise Arbour, Barry Appleton, Marlys
Edwardh, Bill Graham,
Judith Kumin, Frank McKenna, Wesley Wark and Stephen
Lewis, as well as
many other eminent international law scholars and
practitioners. Among
nine different panels, the speakers will address
topics in private and
public international law dealing with trade, human
rights, security, the
environment, health law and intellectual property,
international courts
and tribunals, and the practice of international
law.
We would be honoured if you would speak at the
Conference on Saturday,
February 26, 2005 to share your expertise with
respect to the use of
Sharia law in Ontario in civil arbitrations. Your
perspective as the
coordinator of the International Campaign Against
Sharia Courts would
make a valued and timely contribution to the panel
and the conference.
Among the many timely and important issues in this
subject area, we would
welcome your insights on the relationship between
Sharia law and the
Canadian legal tradition and its underlying values.
Other invited
speakers on the panel include Marion Boyd, Pascale
Fournier, Alia Hogben,
amongst others. Since the conference is a student-run
initiative, we hope
that you would be able to finance your travel and
accommodation.
However, our Finance Committee will try to sponsor
your participation if
financial constraints would otherwise deter you from
participating. You
can find more information about the conference at
www.cilsc.org. Please
contact me, your designated Human Rights Panel Chair,
at
<paulsaguil@osgoode.yorku.ca> or (416) 889-4594.
Thank you for taking
the time to consider our proposal. I very much look
forward to our future
communications.
Sincerely,
Paul Jonathan Saguil
Human Rights Panel Chair
To:
homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 10:26 AM
Subject: [Bulk] Urgent!!!Media interview
Hi Homa,
I work for the Rutherford Show in Alberta. We
are a live radio news talk show in Alberta. You were on our program in
September and it was a great interview. We are hoping to interview you today
(Monday, Dec 20) at 1:30 pm Eastern time and of course it's in regards to
Marion Boyd's report which is being released today. Please let me know asap
if you can do the interview and what phone number we can reach you at.
Cheers,
Jennifer Earl-King
Producer
The Rutherford Show
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 8:59 AM
Subject: islamic tribunals-interview request
Hi Mrs Arjomand,
I am writing to you to know if you would be available for an
interview
to react to the report of Marion Boyd about islamic tribunals.
The report is supposed to be made public today.
I am working for a provincial show at CBC FRENCH in Toronto.
The interview would be in french, if you can speak this
language.
Thank you.
Ysabelle Bourassa
associate-producer
Radio-Canada
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 2:12 AM
Subject: For the attention of the Office of His Excellency, Ayatollah al Udhma Khamenei, Qom)
Your Excellency Ayatollah al Udhma Khamenei,
I am writing to voice my outrage regarding Hajiyeh Esmaelvand, a woman who lives in the city of Jelfa in Iran. She has been condemned to death by stoning. I urge you to commute her inhuman and degrading punishment. Any form of death penalty violates the right to life, especially death by casting stones which is a brutal method specifically designed to increase the victim's suffering.
I also exhort you to ban all other killings by stoning.
Sincerely,
Simin Hariri
USA
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 5:59 AM
Subject: islamic tribunals-interview request
Hi Mrs Arjomand,
I am writing to you to know if you would be available for an interview to react to the report of Marion Boyd about islamic tribunals.
The report is supposed to be made public today. I am working for a provincial show at CBC FRENCH in Toronto. The interview would be in french, if you can speak this language.
Thank you.
Ysabelle Bourassa
associate-producer
Radio-Canada
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 7:26 AM
Subject: [Bulk] Urgent!!!Media interview
Hi Homa,
I work for the Rutherford Show in Alberta. We are a live radio news talk show in Alberta. You were on our program in September and it was a great interview. We are hoping to interview you today (Monday, Dec 20) at 1:30 pm Eastern time and of course it's in regards to Marion Boyd's report which is being released today. Please let me know asap if you can do the interview and what phone number we can reach you at.
Cheers,
Jennifer Earl-King
Producer
The Rutherford Show
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 9:41 AM
Subject: Speaker Invitation to the Canadian International Law Students'
Conference
December 20, 2004
Homa Arjomand
Coordinator, International Campaign Against Sharia Courts
P.O Box 45546
747 Don Mills Road
Toronto, Ontario M3C 3S4
416-737-9500
Dear Ms. Arjomand:
The international law societies of Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, together with the Journal of International Law and International Relations (JILIR) invite you to speak at the 12th annual Canadian International Law Students' Conference (CILSC) on Saturday, February 26, 2005, to be held in Toronto, Canada.
The CILSC provides a forum for law students, academics, practitioners, and leaders in the field of international law to exchange ideas in a collegial atmosphere. The conference has grown to become a premiere event, and with the expansion of the conference this year, we anticipate an increased attendance, drawing participants from across Canada, the United States and abroad. The CILSC is a joint Osgoode Hall-University of Toronto initiative. The Osgoode and U of T international law societies
maintain two of the largest and most active student-run organizations in the Canadian legal community and they have been growing in relevance and importance over the years.
This year, the conference has evolved into a two-day event to be held on February 25-26, 2005. The conference expansion reflects the participation of its new partner, JILIR. On the first day of the conference, JILIR will present a symposium, titled, "Threats, Challenges and Change - the Future of the United Nations." JILIR has invited Mr.
Anand Panyarachun, the Chair of the U.N. High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change as the keynote speaker. JILIR has also already confirmed the participation of New York University Professor and leading international legal scholar, Thomas Franck, and the UN Assistant Secretary General, Ramesh Takhur.
On the second day of the conference, the international law societies will present panels for which we hope you will be a speaker. Last year, John Hancock, Senior Advisor to the Director-General, WTO, delivered the opening keynote address. This year, the Secretary-General of Amnesty International Canada, Alex Neve, and one of the leading trade lawyers in Canada, Lawrence Herman, have already confirmed their participation at the conference. In addition, invitations have been extended to Jim Peterson, Louise Arbour, Barry Appleton, Marlys Edwardh, Bill Graham, Judith Kumin, Frank McKenna, Wesley Wark and Stephen Lewis, as well as many other eminent international law scholars and practitioners. Among nine different panels, the speakers will address topics in private and public international law dealing with trade, human rights, security, the
environment, health law and intellectual property, international courts and tribunals, and the practice of international law. We would be honoured if you would speak at the Conference on Saturday, February 26, 2005 to share your expertise with respect to the use of Sharia law in Ontario in civil arbitrations. Your perspective as the
> coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Courts would make a valued and timely contribution to the panel and the conference. Among the many timely and important issues in this subject area, we would welcome your insights on the relationship between Sharia law and the Canadian legal tradition and its underlying values. Other invited speakers on the panel include Marion Boyd, Pascale Fournier, Alia Hogben, amongst others. Since the conference is a student-run initiative, we hope
> that you would be able to finance your travel and accommodation. However, our Finance Committee will try to sponsor your participation if financial constraints would otherwise deter you from participating. You can find more information about the conference at ------- Please contact me, your designated Human Rights Panel Chair, at
< ---------------> or -----------------. Thank you for taking the time to consider our proposal. I very much look forward to our future communications.
Sincerely,
Paul Jonathan Saguil
Human Rights Panel Chair
Paul Jonathan Saguil, B.A. (Hons.)
LL.B. Candidate (2007)
Osgoode Hall Law School
York University
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 5:59 AM
Subject: islamic tribunals-interview request
Hi Mrs Arjomand,
I am writing to you to know if you would be available for an interview to react to the report of Marion Boyd about islamic tribunals.
The report is supposed to be made public today.I am working for a provincial show at CBC FRENCH in Toronto.
The interview would be in french, if you can speak this language.
Thank you.
Ysabelle Bourassa
associate-producer
Radio-Canada
To: 'homawpi@rogers.com'
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 9:51 AM
Subject: newspaper story
Hello,
Hoping to get some comments from you regarding Marion Boyd's report. Are you issuing some sort of press release? If so, could you send it to this address. Or better yet, could you call me at the number below so we could chat for a few minutes?
Regards,
Meredith MacLeod
Reporter
The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton, ON
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 8:06 AM
Dear Ms. Arjomand,
Thanks for copying me on the letter to M. Ouellette. Unfortunately, I no longer live in Montreal, but am rather in San Diego. Are you going to be in this area shortly?
Like you, I am all against the Sharia law in Canada...and for many, this is somewhat strange, since I am trained in Shariah, from Saudi, Mauritania, Syria and at McGill. ANd FYI, most of the players in the dialogue in Canada, those who are pro-Shariah, are NOT trained in Shariah....and give the government the wrong impression that graduation from a Muslim country gives one that ability. The disciplines of Dawa, Hadith, Arabic, Ulum al Din, DO NOT allow one to be a jurist. For this, one has to go to Kulliyat al Sharia...and to the best of my knowledge, I think only one member in the Montreal Area has. For forced marriage, I can assist in the views and probably get some ethnographic surveys done. Media...I seem to be a black sheep there...
km
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 10:37 AM
Subject: Charia in Quebec
Hello Homa,
I see that you are very active for human rights and I am really happy when I notice that women from muslim world act for better world here in Canada and in our native contries. Homa,my article was published by the newspaper Le Devoir,last saturday.Your point of view about charia in Quebec is in it.
It was as well published in Syfia International .
You"ll find the article as published in Le Devoir in the bottom of this message.
Homa,I am a journalist but I am also working for women and generally human rights.Do you know any women from muslim countries who are here in Montreal and want to meet me to start organizing a reaction againt charia in Quebec?
My new phone number:
Thank you Homa,
This is my article(in french,in Le Devoir):
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 3:57 PM
Subject: Re: Speech at McGill University Law School
Dear Homa Arjomand,
Thank you for this invitation. I'm glad the subject gets lots of attention.
I just spoke with my editor and he wants sound with my report. The sound of women discussing sharia, the sound of a demonstration, the sounds of a women's shelter, with women who suffered under sharia, the sound of a meeting of the muslim court of arbitration (almost impossible, I would think), or a woman telling her story. Of what happened to her in connection to arbitration in Canada, or in her homeland, under sharia. Or the story of a woman who appealed with a Canadian judge (has there been such a case?)
I'm sorry to bother you by asking you to think about this, I know you are very busy. However, we want a powerful story. We are not sensationalists, I work for public radio. One of the questions I will ask Mumtaz Ali is whether muslims from Holland could go to Ontario for a binding ruling of the Muslim Court of Arbitration. Suppose he says they can. . .
I will phone you tomorrow afternoon. Would after 4 be a good time?
I bought airline tickets to be in Toronto Wednesday all day. My editor told me I can stay another day, if that is necessary to get sound.
Kind regards,
margot grant
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 4:19 PM
Subject: Follow up from meeting in Canada on the ferry from Victoria
Hi Homa
I've visited your site and am very impressed with the work you have achieved and have passed the information on to a number of friends who work in this field to link to you. Hopefully this will get some responses from the Australian side of the border for you.
If there is every anything specific you want support with in the Human rights area please let me know and I'll do whatever I can with the connections and people I know.
Wishing you an enjoyable holiday season and great year in 2005
Regards
Pola
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: Speech at McGill University Law School
Hi Homa,
You are working so hard and I am following your work and cheering. What do you think of Marion Boyd or the gov't postponing their report.
They must be uneasy.
Bev
Dear Homa Arjomand,
Thank you for sending me this.
I agree wholeheartedly with you that this practice must end. The Dutch governement is raising the age for brides from other countries to 21. In Denmark, it's 24 now.
We're meeting Wednesday, after 4. I'll be in Mississauga from 2 pm - 3 pm, with Mumtaz Ali. Would you let me know where we could meet? Preferably in a quiet place, because random sound in the background is not nice on radio.
Or perhaps there is a location where I could also record sounds of women who discuss this issue, or are victims of it. Or somebody who would want to tell her personal story - but the main story is yours. I realise I ask a lot here but I'm just trying to do a story which is as powerful as possible.
A written story about sharia court in Ontario (an adaptation for the radio documentary) will appear in the February issue of Opzij, a feminist magazine in the Netherlands.
I'm looking forward to meeting you,
kind regards,
margot grant
To: "Homa Arjmand" <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 10:57 AM
Subject: Speaker Invitation Dalhousie Law School
Hi Ms. Arjmand,
I would like to invite you on behalf of the Dalhousie Law School. Association of Women and the Law along with Law Hour to come and speak on the problem of legal pluralism and cultural relativism as it affects women.
A wide variety of speakers, including supreme court justices regularly participate in student organized speaker series at Dalhousie Law School and the events always draw a large and interested crowd. We would be very excited to have this topic addressed. Halifax has a large Muslim/ Middle Eastern community as well as a very interested legal
community (a lot of law student body is from Ontario as well). CBC's the "Docket" is also filnmed here.
I am currently writing a paper on this topic and have been following your emails and speeches carefully. Please let me know if you are interested and if so, a possible date, which would be convenient for you. (Generally January until late March draw the best crowds, since exams begin in April). You may email me or if you prefer,
call at ----->
I look forward to hearing from you.
Polina Hristov.
On behlaf of DAWL and Law Hour.
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 12:52 AM
I wish there was something I could do to help stop this madness. I suppose as long as there are no laws in the middle east to protect women and children it will continue. Just about 1 year ago, I decided to see what Islam was all about. I found myself in shock. I consider myself lucky but I also wonder where was I for so long not knowing what many people are going through.
I wish you success in all your doing and if I could help, I would.
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 7:24 PM
Hi Homa,
Do you think this would be another marriage made in hell thanks to the misogyny inherent in islam? I also find it interesting that the slaughter of young women at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal back in '89 was not seen as the work of a man brought up in a muslim household. Too bad our media won't face the facts, but instead must see everything through politically correct rose coloured glasses.
Just thinking out loud,
Hope all is well, saw your interview with Paula Todd on TVO, you presented a great argument!
Richard
CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Sat. Dec. 11 2004 7:41 PM ET
The teacher who was shot dead in the parking lot of her Toronto-area high school had reportedly been trying to end her marriage.
According to the Toronto Sun, Aysegul Candir, 47, decided to end her 18-year marriage to Erhun Candir, 62, just over a week ago. She had moved out while he was on vacation in their native Turkey.
However, CFTO News's Janice Golding said police wouldn't confirm that information.
Aysegul spent most of Friday on life support after succumbing to her injuries at around 9:30 p.m. Friday night. She had been shot several times that morning
Her husband has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.
He was arrested at his home Friday afternoon, and made a brief court appearance Saturday. He covered his head on the way into court and once there, asked for time to find a lawyer, Golding said. Candir is next scheduled to appear in a Brampton court on Monday.
Police are still standing guard outside the Candir's Bolton, Ont. home. Neighbors said the Candirs were the home's original neighbors, but were very quiet people who kept to themselves. Erhun reportedly worked as a flight simulator instructor at Air Canada.
Friday's shooting sent all 1,700 of Bramalea Secondary School's students diving under their desks for cover. The students had practiced the emergency procedure in the past. They stayed under their desks, lying in the darkness for about two hours until police gave the all-clear.
Jim Grieve, director of education for the Peel School Board, described the shooting as "unprecedented.
"It's especially traumatic that such a disturbing incident of what seems to have been domestic violence should spill over into the lives of the students Mrs. Candir was so devoted to," he said. At the school, people were arriving with flowers and cards to Aysegul.
"I feel sorry for the lady who was killed here and I think she's a very, very special person who deserves to become an angel," said Brandon Atchison, a youngster whose brother attends the school.
His mother Janet said: "I think that her family would really like that, to know we're thinking of her today."
Several students described Aysegul -- a recent teacher's college graduate who had started working at the school last year, teaching English as a second language -- as a "wonderful" person.
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 8:31 AM
Subject: petition
Dear Mrs. Arjomand,
after reading an article in the French Actualité magazine <Canada, terre de charia?>, (15 décembre 2004), I was interested in visitin your website and signing your petition against Sharia law in Canada. I do believe that, for the sake of women and children, we do need, regardless of religious affiliation, to have a common law and practice for all Canadians. To open the door for Sharia law in Canada would establish a precedent for any faith or ideological group to demand their that their own particular laws be applied bor their members. There would be no end. I also believe that, regardless of personal beliefs, we need to live our faith in the midst of a larger world and therefore need
to be involved in public debate and decision making within the Canadian political and legal framework.
Though my intent was to sign such a petition, I found that your petition was totally different than what I had expected. I do believe there needs to be a certain seperation between religion and state but your petition is more one in favour of <secularism> which in itself is an ideology that on its own cannot protect the individual and collective rights of believers. The ultimate goal of secularism is to relegate faith to a private matter. But faith, if properly considered, will influence our understanding and respect of persons and is a foundation that will inform a person^s ethical positions. Faith can never be just a private affair.
As for excluding religion from education, I think we make a grave error by exluding religious education in schools. It is possible to teach about religion in schools in broader cultural ways that will help students to respect the differences between people. To exclude any approach to religion in schools prior to the age of 16 is to demean
religious belief. Instead of helping the situation, I believe it can have the adverse effect of encouraging a greater fundamentalism. Let me be clear here, I don't believe that we are to teach 'faith' in public schools but that does not mean we can't respectfully teach about religion in broader cultural terms.
For these reasons, although I would support you in opposing Sharia law in Canada, I am unable to sign your petition.
Pierre LeBel
plebel@ca.inter.net
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 6:57 AM
Subject: TVO Tuesday
Homa,
I watched your interview on TVO Tuesday night. I also taped it to show other members of our group. You are such a brave woman and I was very interested in your personal story. We at CSAW are proud to support your International Campaign against Sharia Court in Canada.
Most sincerely, Linda
Linda Middaugh
Canadians in Support of Afghan Women
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 7:55 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: TV debate on Sharia Courts in Canada
thank you for letting me know about the broadcast. I watched last night and felt you did a good job of presenting your case. I have sent an email to Paula Todd thanking her for having the courage to have you on her program. I have been sending our emails and passing our flyers and copies of your petition to my friends and neighbours, and today at our Church we are having a speaker who has recently returned from Iran and will be giving us an overview of her experiences there;
Continue the ffight, Homa. Thanks you for your courage.
E. Lydia Macdonald,
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 7:58 AM
Subject: volunteering
Dear Homa,
I watched your interview on Studio Two last night and was very moved by your comments. I am a retired teacher. I taught English and ESL and Library in the public system for thirty years. I am now working part time as a tutor for Bishop Strachan School. I have a friend from Iran I befriended through CCVT who is quite active in social justice and human rights. I also have a son who is gay. I would like very much to volunteer my services to you. It wouldn't really matter what the nature of the work would be. I have lived a very safe and fortunate life and would like to give back to our society and help out in important issues any way I can.
Thank You,
Laryssa Carter
From: "Sissy Sissy"
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 10:55 AM
Subject: RE: Fw: Holland
I don't know why you call it political Islam. From what the qur'an says, it is Islam that has the problem. I have read some of it, and of course now most westerners have, and it is not a nice thing for us to read. The main message in the Qu'ran is that all non-muslims are inferior to muslims. Then there are the parts of hate and death to non-muslims. I am thankful not to have been raised a muslim. I have visited many muslim websites and I see loads of hate for westeners and even Hindus in the subjects. I know there are some nice things in the Qu'ran but that does not make for the bad. Certainly it does not make me feel any better. I still can't trust muslims because of the Qur'an. It has nothing to do with a phobia. It has to do with what the words in the Qur'an. Phobia is a fear that is not rational.
The Qur'an clearly states its message for non-muslims. I get a message from the Qur'an and I am acting rationally with my lack of trust. I don't see any other religion promoting hate. I know some think theres are the best but it is not they are not killing others over their faith. I know and I haver heard this all the time. Islam means peace and those are not real muslims. In Islams history there has never been peace. Islam has had more wars than any country or religion in the world. Look at recent history in
Africa. It is not a phobia we have. We don't like what we see and everyone has a right to believe what they want. I would say Islam is the one with the phobia. It is called Jewphobia, Christianphobia and Hinduphobia.
Non-muslimphobia to be more precise.
To: "Homa Arjmand" <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 8:25 PM
Subject: Your TVO Interview
Hello Homa,
I just got an internet connection from my home 2 days ago. No more library computers! Hurrraaaahhhhh!!!!!
I saw your interview with Paula Todd on Person to Person on TVO yesterday. You are a wonderful person, Homa. You are so dedicated and courageous in spite of the hardships your activities bring to you! I really admire you very much. It is because of people like you that I see a glimmer of hope for the world. Where would this world be if people like you did not exist?
I just don't know.
As well, my heart goes out to you for the atrocities you have witnessed. Those were extremely terrible experiences. As I watched the interview I wanted to reach out and give you many hugs. I don't know if they would have done anything for you but I just wanted to comfort you. I wanted to alleviate even a little of the pain you feel.
Homa you are not only the best representative of womankind; you are the best representative of humans in general.
I send you friendship and love, Homa,
Maria
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 1:03 PM
Subject: YOU are invited Thu Dec-09 / 5:30 p.m. Mayor Miller &Council's
Award Reception
Mayor David Miller and Toronto City Council invite you to attend a celebration in honour of Human Rights Day and the presentation of the 2004 Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards on Thursday, December 9, 2004, 5:30 p.m. to 8 :00 p.m.
Council Chamber Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Host: Andy Barrie
Awards Presentation: 5:30 p.m. Council Chamber
Reception 7:00 p.m. City Hall Rotunda
Please respond to
TTY
Attendant care provided
Cassandra Fernandes
Diversity Management and Community Engagement Consultant
CITY OF TORONTO
Chief Administrator's Office
Strategic and Corporate Policy Division
100 Queen Street (W), 10E
Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2
To: "Homa Arjmand" <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Holland
--- Homa Arjmand <homawpi@rogers.com> wrote:
If the activists against political Islam left with no support from, groups and individuals who defend human rights and women's equality then there should be no surprise to see the lives of activists such as Yasmine Allas, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Mimount Bousakla and many more be in danger. As you know by now, Political Islam is against secular and progressive movement for liberation, and it is against cultural and intellectual advances. We should, we must recognize this move, it has link in Iran,Algeria, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.In Canada we can have road to success by having one set of progressive laws and regulations for all, irrespective of sex, race,ethnicity. . by removing family law from the Ontario Arbitration act 1991. Religion should become a private matter and does not have a place in justice system. please sign the petition and Resolution on www.nosharia.com and send it to all your e-mail lists. please make sure your organization, your place of work and schools near you are endorsing the resolution. Only a secular state and a secular society that respects human rights can ensure women's liberation.
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 4:04 PM
Subject: Holland
december the 7th I am writing from Canada , my answer to this young muslim women and any other muslims who voted with their feet is denounce the barbaric laws of the sharia we are fighting against it with our hearts and souls it it not a battle of relgions it is a batttle for hard earned freedoms that women in Canada have fought for and we are not ready to relinquish any part of our freedoms for some relgious dogma that it may be politically in vncorect what I am going to say , this dogma is imported , people in funfemental islamic countried wholobby for their relgious freedoms are stoned two wrongs do not make it right Joanne >
December 01, 2004
In Europe, Muslim women speaking out against extremism risk backlash And what are the dhimmi European authorities doing about it? From AP, with thanks to Kemaste:
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) Novelist Yasmine Allas doesn't believe in happy endings.
That's strange, considering her own unlikely road to success. The daughter of a wealthy army officer, she fled as a teenager from her repressive childhood in Somalia, where she had dreamed of becoming an actress, dating men, drinking wine and living the life she saw in movies.
Now in the Netherlands, having gained an audience for her bleak stories of oppressed women and failed immigrants, she finds she still can't escape fear.
Since the slaying of filmmaker Theo van Gogh last month in Amsterdam, there have been death threats against two prominent Muslim women politicians Ayaan Hirsi Ali in Holland and Mimount Bousakla in Belgium who have spoken out against repression in Islam.
Allas, 35, is among a growing group of young women from Muslim backgrounds who are making it in politics, the arts, media or the law in Europe, and in some cases are putting themselves at the forefront of the fight against extremism from two directions Islamic fundamentalists and Europe's far-right fringe.
From a television journalist in Italy to a standup comic in Norway, these women are speaking up in voices that may never have been heard had they remained in their native lands. In Somalia, says Allas, ``If you are a girl, you always are in fear of your parents, your older brothers, your male neighbors. It is always the man ... It is always fear and fear and fear.''...
``When I came to Holland, for me it was, Whew! What freedom! What a country! It was love, immediately,'' she recalls. ``But Holland is not the same.''
AP then plays the moral equivalence angle: Fatima Elatik, deputy mayor of Amsterdam's heavily immigrant Zeeburg borough, was assigned bodyguards after receiving threats from a right-wing Dutch extremist after the Van Gogh killing.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks ``there's been a lot of Muslim- and Islam-bashing in our society that really was very frightening,'' said Elatik, 31.
She deals often with young immigrant men and women who want to be Dutch yet feel alien. Even though she wears a head scarf, she considers herself a modern,
liberal Dutch woman.
``What is typically Dutch? I don't look Dutch, I don't have a Dutch name. But I wear Dutch clothes. Even my scarf, my hijab, I buy in Dutch stores. What more do you want from me?''
Umm, how about a definitive and trustworthy community-wide renunciation of any intention to impose Sharia now or in the future?
Posted at December 1, 2004
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 2:26 PM
Subject: CBC interivew request
Homa,
I hate to hound you like this but as you know I have been trying for two days to nail down a firm time as to when we can interview you and I really really need an answer from you on this.
*** CBC will in no way film women at your offices who are seeking counselling, nor will we identify in ANY way your building. We simply need to interview you at your desk, in your office.
I have to have this interview completed by Thursday of this week, so please understand my urgency in terms of a commitment from you. I am getting a LOT of pressure from the reporter I am working with to get a commitment, so please either leave a voicemail at ------by end of day today (Tuesday) or email me your reply. I want your concerns
included in this piece, but I need some movement on this from your end.
many thanks
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 6:12 PM
Subject: When will Homa Arjomand speak in Ottawa?
Good Evening,
I watched TVO Studio 2 with Homa Arjomand on Tuesday Dec 7th.
While the interviewer was less than great (she barely got around to asking about Sharia Law), I really enjoyed listening to Ms. Arjomand.
I would be interested in learning more about Sharia Law, and in particular, how it affects women. I have read a few books on Pakistan, Afganistan, and Saudi Arabia, but I am still very ignorant and lacking in understanding and knowledge.
If the Campaign is going to hold a public seminar in Ottawa I would be keen to go and learn more.
Ken Smith
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 6:36 PM
Subject: Re TVO Interview
Hello Homa,
Just watched the interview it was great, I am sure you have convinced thousands of people to oppose the 'Sharia law'
Thanks for all your work.
Tessa House
WHAM
From: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 8:45 AM
Subject: Fw: TV debate on Sharia Courts in Canada
Hi David:
It is a sad and painful. It is very fearful to see at the beging of the 21st century we women in CANADA, living in the heart of civilization can not talk about the effect of the Ontario Arbitration Act 1991 which allowed family disputes be resolved according to Sharia or any faith base law and regulations. We women have fear of political Islam and its move globally that subjected us and our children to various forms of abuse and daily degradation and have every right to do so.
It is not Islamophobia for us women who have fled from countries where Sharia has power and sought refugee in Canada as we have seen and expereinced the real face of political Islam and we can recognize its move. Under the infulence of political Islam we have seen an increase intimidation and threats against innumerable women golobally. Historically, political Islam has proven to be a major force that impose serious setbacks on women's lives. Political Islam is a political movement that came into force against secular and progressive movements for liberation, and against cultural and intellectual advances therefore it is surprizing to see women have fear to speak up. their fear is real, it is not phobia. But we can make a huge change. We can all be treated equally, if we put pressure on the Ontario government to remove family law from the Ontario Arbitration Act 1991, for the protection of all its residents; untill then, believe me it would be fearful for these women to come out and speak about their loss as they have fear for their lives.
Best Wishes
Homa Arjomand
----- Original Message -----
To: 'Homa Arjmand'
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 7:57 PM
Subject: TV debate on Sharia Courts in Canada
Dear Homa,
A very popular public affairs tv show from Télé-Québec will be hosting a debate in early January on the introduction of Sharia courts in Ontario. They have been unable to find Muslims willing to appear on the show to contest the Sharia courts. The people they contacted cited fear. The show's animator turned to em for help. Would you know of anyone willing to participate in the show? The person would need to be fluent in French.
Best,
David Ouellette
Judeoscope
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 11:55 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Fw: sharia in sport
political Islam has spoken in Bangladesh please don't let it have its way in Canada too.. The Campaign against Sharia Court in Canada wants one law for all, wants family law be removed from the Ontario Arbitration Act 1991. for this reason its is everyone's duty to sign the resolution and petition please check these two www.nosharia.com.
thanks
Homa Arjomand
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 4:17 PM
Subject: sharia in sport
Bangladesh stops women swimmers
By Roland Buerk
BBC Bangladesh correspondent
Bangladesh's government has stopped women taking part in a swimming competition after pressure from an Islamic group.
Radical Muslims threatened large demonstrations if the competition was allowed to go ahead.
Last year the competition was held without incident.
In July, a women's wrestling tournament was cancelled after threats to disrupt it, and a women's football competition was called off after protests.
It was later held peacefully.
'Offensive'
The long-distance swimming competition had been due to take place in a river in Chandpur, south of the capital.
Male swimmers set off as planned, but the women's event was cancelled.
Four female swimmers had been expected to take part.
The decision was made by Bangladesh's Sports Minister, Fazlur Rahman.
He said he had no choice after a radical Islamic group threatened to bring the entire district around Chandpur to a halt with protests.
The Committee for Resistance to Un-Islamic Activities said women taking part in the sport would offend Bangladesh's more than 100 million Muslims.
On Monday, they organised a rally in the town that was attended by more than 1,000 people.
Bangladesh is a largely moderate country, but Islamic groups have been campaigning against women
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 7:55 AM
Subject: petition
Bonjour,
Il est impossible d'ouvrir la page pour signer la pétition. J'ai beau cliquer...rien à faire.
Que se passe-t-il?
Mariette M. Plante
To: 'Homa'
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 12:06 PM
Subject: Hoping to film traditional Muslim women....
Hi Homa,
It was lovely to chat with you just now. Here's a summary of what I'm doing and what I'm looking for:
I'm filming a series called "Mother Tongue" which explores Canada's multicultural history from a female perspective. Each show focuses on one community and tells the story of a remarkable woman in that community. Our Muslim show explores the story of Roshan Jamal.
As the head of the Noor Centre, Roshan organised a lecture on Sharia law, exploring what it is. One of the speakers suggested that Sharia would make some Muslim women vulnerable: especially those who are newcomers to the country and who don't speak English.
I'm hoping to film a number of the "vulnerable" women (newcomers, can't speak English, wearing a veil). I was wondering where I could do that...perhaps in a shelter, or at a mother's group. Do you or your colleagues have any idea where I could film this? I'm hoping to film this coming Friday.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes,
Susan Poizner
ThinkStock Inc.
www.mothertongue.ca (temporary website...currently being redesigned...)
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 7:02 AM
Subject: CBC interview request
Homa,
As discussed Friday, CBC News: Morning would like to record an on-camera interview with you Tuesday or beyond of this week. We prefer to shoot you in an office environment, and can guarantee that we will not shoot the exterior of the office or represent it in any form that would make its location identifiable. We absolutely respect the
needs of your group to keep the location private due to the nature of the work you do.
*** Also, if it is at all possible, the piece we are producing re:
sharia law would benefit tremendously from being able to tell the story of one individual woman whose life has been detrimentally impacted due to rulings, or the threat of rulings, under sharia law. We could disguise the woman's identity if needed so as to guarantee anonymity. I would really appreciate any movement you could
make on this this week, as the report's release could come at any time.
I will call you later today to schedule the interview with you.
many thanks in advance,
Tina Pittaway
Producer
CBC News
To: 'Homa Arjmand'
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 7:57 PM
Subject: TV debate on Sharia Courts in Canada
Dear Homa,
A very popular public affairs tv show from Télé-Québec will be hosting a debate in early January on the introduction of Sharia courts in Ontario. They have been unable to find Muslims willing to appear on the show to contest the Sharia courts. The people they contacted cited fear. The show's animator turned to em for help. Would you know of anyone willing to participate in the show? The person would need to be fluent in French.
Best,
David Ouellette
Judeoscope
To: <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 6:46 AM
Subject: Homa on Person 2 Person
Good morning Homa,
Just wanted to let you know that your Person 2 Person interview with Paula Todd will be on the air on Tuesday, December 7 at 8:30 p.m. The show repeats again at midnight, then again at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon
(Dec. 8).
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 4:04 PM
Subject: Holland
December 01, 2004
In Europe, Muslim women speaking out against extremism risk backlash
And what are the dhimmi European authorities doing about it? From AP, with thanks to Kemaste:
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) Novelist Yasmine Allas doesn't believe in happy endings.
That's strange, considering her own unlikely road to success. The daughter of a wealthy army officer, she fled as a teenager from her repressive childhood in Somalia, where she had dreamed of becoming an actress, dating men, drinking wine and living the life she saw in movies.
Now in the Netherlands, having gained an audience for her bleak stories of oppressed women and failed immigrants, she finds she still can't escape fear.
Since the slaying of filmmaker Theo van Gogh last month in Amsterdam, there have been death threats against two prominent Muslim women politicians Ayaan Hirsi Ali in Holland and Mimount Bousakla in Belgium who have spoken out against repression in Islam.
Allas, 35, is among a growing group of young women from Muslim backgrounds who are making it in politics, the arts, media or the law in Europe, and in some cases are putting themselves at the forefront of the fight against extremism from two directions Islamic fundamentalists and Europe's far-right fringe.
From a television journalist in Italy to a standup comic in Norway, these women are speaking up in voices that may never have been heard had they remained in their native lands.
In Somalia, says Allas, ``If you are a girl, you always are in fear of your parents, your older brothers, your male neighbors. It is always the man ... It is always fear and fear and fear.''...
``When I came to Holland, for me it was, Whew! What freedom! What a country! It was love, immediately,'' she recalls.
``But Holland is not the same.''
AP then plays the moral equivalence angle:
Fatima Elatik, deputy mayor of Amsterdam's heavily immigrant Zeeburg borough, was assigned bodyguards after receiving threats from a right-wing Dutch extremist after the Van Gogh killing.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks ``there's been a lot of Muslim- and Islam-bashing in our society that really was very frightening,'' said Elatik, 31.
She deals often with young immigrant men and women who want to be Dutch yet feel alien. Even though she wears a head scarf, she considers herself a modern, liberal Dutch woman.
``What is typically Dutch? I don't look Dutch, I don't have a Dutch name. But I wear Dutch clothes. Even my scarf, my hijab, I buy in Dutch stores. What more do you want from me?''
Umm, how about a definitive and trustworthy community-wide renunciation of any intention to impose Sharia now or in the future?
Posted at December 1, 2004
To: "Homa Arjmand" <homawpi@rogers.com>; <Undisclosed-Recipient:>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 9:50 AM
Hi Homa:
Thank you for keeping us uptodate with your activities. January 22nd will be in Edmonton only. More details about the event will be e-mailed to
you.
Keep up the good work.
To: "Homa Arjmand" <homawpi@rogers.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 6:10 AM
Subject: Re: http://www.guardian.co.uk/islam/story/0,15568,1362591,00.html
Dear Homa,
Thank you for sending me updates. I find this a very prickly subject, criticism immediately smacks of racism. But I find myself wondering why Muslims who want to live with their sharias and "time off work to pray the required five times daily" move to countries where there is a totally different culture, and courts of law already exist and function
satisfactorily for the citizens of that country.
Being an immigrant is not easy. I know, because I am an immigrant myself, but I have always tried to adapt to Canadian customs, and restrict the practise of my personal faith, language, culture to the privacy of my home.
As a woman, I strongly oppose the introduction of any law or practice that diminshes women's rights and freedom and reduces her to mere chattel.
I wish you success in what must be a very lonely fight!
Sincerely, Pomona
L. Pefanis
To: homawpi@rogers.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 8:45 AM
Subject: Sharia Law
I read with deep concern the article in Chatelaine regarding the push by the Muslim community to establish Sharia Law as a binding legal system in Canada. This must not be allowed to happen in Canada.
Our legal system confers dignity on both male and female as being persons. This step has taken many years. Women were considered non-persons and unprotected under the law in Canada for a long time. Sharia Law would be a removal of all that has been gained.
How many parents would want to stand by and see their daughters marry into a system that would remove all their protection under that law? They could be tried in mosque courts, sentenced and have no recourse to Canadian justice. We have read of Sharia court approved gang rapes, the consentual murder of sisters, public whippings and executions under Sharia Law.
Would our parliamentarians want to see their daughters or grand-daughters under a system like that?
There's no point in saying it couldn't happen here. Many unspeakable things happen when no one objects to immoral or criminal changes in a country's laws. We only have to look at life in the Sudan today, Germany in World War 2, the USSR under Stalin, etc.
Yours truly,
To: 'Homa Arjmand'
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 7:58 AM
Subject: [Bulk] RE: Re':leila04 (1).rtf
TO: Ms.Homa Arjomand
F/M: Kenichiro Takeda
RE: Re':leila04 (1).rtf
Dear Homa,
I have received your email and have found the community and the Organization for Women's Liberation in Canada. As for above-mentioned I would like to send a letter to the president of Iran within a couple of day.
I deeply appreciate what you have done for a human being on the earth.
I wish you a good health and happiness.
Sincerely yours,
Kenichiro Takeda
-----Original Message-----
From: Homa Arjmand [mailto:homawpi@rogers.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 1:25 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;; undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: leila04 (1).rtf
14 year-old mother flogged
and on death-row in Iran!
Leila was nine years old when she was forced to be a child prostitute. She was arrested by the Islamic Republic guards and flogged while she was pregnant. At the age of 14 she gave birth to twins. Last week she was arrested again and condemned to death by execution accused of "spreading corruption and being a prostitute".
Leila has had a very hard life, being forced by her family to earn a living by prostitution. According to medical examination, this hard and cruel life has had severe effects on her health. She is still a child and behaves like an 8 year old.
As though this harsh treatment has not been enough, now she is being punished and crushed even further by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Leila like many children and young people in Iran are being targeted by the Iranian government and their most basic rights violated. Not a day passes without the news of yet another execution order. During the past two weeks 4 young people have been condemned to execution in Tehran.
You might ask when will such suppression and cruelty end? How will it end? If justice would prevail on its own accord, we would not have had such violent world. The only thing that can give a driving force to save the lives of the Leilas of Iran is our efforts and your efforts to put pressure on the Islamic Regime of Iran. We urge you to condemn the Iranian regime for violating human and children's rights in Iran in any way you think possible, and give your support to our efforts.
We the undersigned:
* Condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran for violating human rights;
* Demand that Capital punishment must be banned;
* Demand the immediate release of Leila. She and her children must be given every possible health and social security provisions.
(Send your protest letters to the president of Iran khatami@president.ir Fax: 0098 21 649 5880.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organisation for Women's Liberation
PO Box 42300, London N12 0WY, England
Tel: +44-7789801250 Fax: +44-8701358385
www.azadizan.com
To: Homa Arjmand
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 8:57 AM
Subject: Re: sharia_resolution, please send the last page to Homa by fax 1-866-242-7710 thanks Homa
Dear Homa,
Please send me if possible another last page of the sharia resolution, because Idon't know what's going on , every space to write on is black now !
I will sign the new one as soon as it arrives ..promise and send it by fax.
Sorry for the delay , but the computer , is at my daughter 's and I don't have access to it all the time , beside I am super busy right now , because the Christmas period is part of my small business.
Louise
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 7:34 PM
Subject: Re: Fw:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/islam/story/0,15568,1362591,00.html
Homa!
It looks as though Muslims "WANT TO RULE THE WORLD" They do not want to abide by any laws only their "OWN MAN MADE LAWS"!!
Thank you for sharing
Fran
I'm sure you'll have something to say about this.
Robin
http://www.guardian.co.uk/islam/story/0,15568,1362591,00.html
British Muslims want Islamic law and prayers at work Alan Travis and Mad
|
