In praise of Marian Boyd's report: Ontario report affirms right to use Islamic principles in arbitration.(Canada)

"The Arbitration Act should continue to allow disputes to be arbitrated using religious law ," concluded Ontario's former Ontario Attorney General Marion Boyd in her 150-page report (www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca)

Boyd was asked by the Ontario government to review the 1991 Arbitration Act and assess whether a plan by members of the province's 400,000 Muslims to use Islamic principles in settling marital and inheritance disputes should be halted.

The almost hysterical reaction of opponents was amplified by many commentators who did not understand the issue. "Canadian judges soon will be enforcing Islamic law ... such as stoning women caught in adultery," screamed one headline. Another read, "Canada Allowing Sharia Barbaric Laws?"

Sharia is not coming to Canada and there will be no Sharia courts. Muslims simply wish to use Islamic principles to resolve their disputes within the Canadian legal system.

Boyd's considered verdict, released in December 2004, came after meeting with more than two hundred people and receiving almost forty submissions. Boyd makes forty-six reasoned recommendations, including: …