Halting an Advancing Threat

I found this draft of a posting I wrote in the winter, when the Shafia family murder trials were taking place.  Four years ago, I would never have been able to articulate a position beyond: that is different and scary... let's oppose it.  Yet I have been in areas of the world where Sharia law is lived out, even if just behind closed doors.  While I cannot claim to be an expert in the things of Justice, Law, or Culture, I see an approaching threat

Recently, the media in Canada has been focussed on the results of one criminal trial. The Canadian Justice system, has in recent times, let us down in massive ways. If you speak to almost any Canadian, they have experienced, or know someone who have experiences a massive miscarriage of justice. So, when the parents and oldest child stood accused of killing 4 female members of their family, it felt like a litmus test of one of the istitutions that we put so much faith in, whether that faith is deserved or not.

For most Canadians, the shocking nature of the crimes being tried, this is an open and shut case. A watershed moment where we all get to stand unified against "evil" at its very core.

What made this case different however, was the additional layer of faith and a culture that is so alien to our way of life. The question of "honour killing" is one being faced all over the world. Christine Blatchford's article in the Ottawa Citizen (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Blatchford+heart+Shafia+trial+very+notion+what+girl/6069462/story.html) addresses the new trend being seen by the UN.

As we awaited the verdict from this trial, there was much talk about what a "not guilty" would mean for the agenda of Islam. Those who wish to see Sharia law throughout the world, could have pointed to this case as a precedent and left the unintended impression that Canadians implicitly endorse the application of Sharia Law within our boarders.

As the nation held its breath, I found myself praying for those on the jury who would be making this historical decision. I knew that too short a deliberation time, could result in cries of Pre-judgement and snap decisions. Too long deliberating could be construed as proof that this topic is worth the time of instensive debate, and that perhaps the public is divided. Without a unified viewpoint, the door is left open for the proponents of Sharia Law to forward their agenda.

Happliy, the perpetrators of the horrific crimes were found guilty and for now the worldview that would say killing a woman for her conduct is "honourable" has been held at bay.  In this country though, we are still vulnerable. 

I see within Canada especially an identity crisis in the area of gender.  We have, to quote a good friend, thrown out the baby with the bathwater when it comes to gender rights and equality.  In the midst of the debate and push for what we all believe is right (equality) we have forgotten about gender distinctives.  That we are different, and our difference are meant to be complimentary to one another and celebrated.  Instead, we have lost in some ways, the freedom to even have an opinion.  So it leaves us vulnerable.  If Canadians won't define our gender identities, others may come in, and through vociforous debate, lobbying or other means, create a situation where decisions must be made and if we don't have a strong position to vocalize, we may lose our place at the table where the decisions are made. 

Part of my grand adventure took me to Nepal.  One of the obeservations that we made when we were there was the ease with which men and women interacted with one another.  There are such well defined gender roles that it removes much of the angst between the genders.  While I don't necessarily agree with their definitions of the genders, I see the value in a common understanding.