Sharia Law - a Canadian's perspective

I am a Canadian citizen and this is my perspective regarding Sharia Law in Canada. Recently the media was reporting that Canadian politicians were considering a special request to allow Sharia Law to be practiced and enforced in Canada. I do not like Sharia Law because it is very strongly opposed to many Canadian values that are better served and protected by the Canadian Justice System as it stands presently.

Sharia Law is based entirely on Islamic doctrine and the actions of a Muslim prophet instead of real laws that support freedom and human rights for everyone, and I'm sharing my thoughts on this simple web site in the hopes that other Canadians who love our country may gain additional perspective with an improved understanding of the potential ramifications of allowing Sharia Law to be practiced here.

An overview of Canada's legal system

In Canada we have an excellent legal system that protects important personal freedoms, prioritizes human rights, and values the concept that those who are accused of a serious criminal offense are first presumed "innocent until proven guilty." This legal system is supported by policing and military forces which are well-respected both locally and world-wide for the strong emphasis in compassion, which is an essential aspect of law enforcement that serves its people in a manner that's more effective, particularly as partners with local communities in mutually beneficial ways. It is these and many other aspects of Canadian law that have contributed almost overwhelmingly to Canada becoming one of the most desireable nations in which to live or visit.
The freedoms and rights afforded to all Canadians have made it possible to live well, and have inspired progress in education and technological advancement, to name a few. Canada has also contributed to the world in some important ways (as have many other nations regardless of whether they're secular), such as by helping those in other countries who are in need of food, medical aid, financial assistance, asylum, post-war clean-up, etc., as well as with inventions including the system of Time Zones (which has had a profound influence on productivity on a global scale). Although Canada also has its share of imperfections, we are generally a friendly and happy people who genuinely respect friends, strangers, neighbours, and visitors from abroad because we intrinsically value human solidarity.

An overview of Sharia Law

Sharia Law is officially practiced and enforced in some nations which are occasionally also referred to as Islamic States (such as Saudi Arabia). Many Muslims believe that the two sources of Sharia Law, which are The Holy Qu'ran (the unalterable word of Allah) and Sunnah (the life and example set by a Muslim Prophet and Warrior named Muhammad), are what constitutes "infallible divine law." Islamic Jurisprudence (a.k.a., "fiqh") is the practice of applying Sharia Law by interpreting the following:

The Holy Qu'ran (the official doctrine of Islam)
Sunnah (the philosophies and actions of Prophet Muhammad)
Ijma (collective reasoning by consensus among Muslim scholars)
Qiyas (individual reasoning by analogical deduction)

A legal system that is based on religious doctrine fails to classify as "secular." A legal system that advocates misogyny and promotes the killing of infidels, etc. (because these values are promoted in The Holy Qu'ran), fails to classify as "fair" and "just." (Sharia Law clearly fails in both of these areas, which is why it isn't compatible with Canada's laws that emphasize fairness, and Canadian values that emphasize human rights.)

Why Canada must not permit Sharia Law

Canada already has a legal system that functions on a generally secular basis with aims to be impartial and fair when meting out justice. Having multiple legal systems with competing goals and conflicting ideals fosters division both locally and nationally instead of embracing solidarity. Attempts to introduce any multitude of alternative legal systems in any country creates confusion and ultimately makes it easier for criminals to function more effectively by providing options to request the application of a legal system that more ideally suits their needs. Without question, this type of "special treatment" violates the spirit of having only one legal system that applies equally and consistently to everyone.
Sharia Law conflicts with the Canadian Constitution, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Canadian Laws in so many ways that even a partial integration of Sharia would be in direct contravention. Canada has been - and continues to be - a wonderful and safe place to live and visit, but granting any special permission for Sharia Law to be applied in Canada is an intolerable attack against basic freedoms and Canadian values because it would mean that girls would not be allowed to attend school, women would lose most of their rights and be forced into slavery, people would no longer be permitted to express themselves freely (especially through art and dancing), infidels who refuse to convert to Islam could be executed, and nearly all other freedoms that are currently protected in Canada would be eliminated (the failure to eliminate these freedoms would be a violation of Sharia Law).
If anyone ever has the arrogance to promote Sharia Law in Canada again, the response should be to regard it as intolerable corruption of Canada and its laws, and object to it strongly by informing its proponents that Canada already has one of the best modern legal systems in the world that advances progress and values freedom and human rights, and that replacing it with ancient religious doctrine to any degree is simply not a valid option.