NCJ Number
142039
Journal
Canadian Journal of Women and the Law Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (1993) Pages: 52-65
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the status of Muslims in Canada and the proposals by the Canadian Society of Muslims concludes that a new concept of multiculturalism is needed, along with re-education of the media and educators, so that excluded groups such as Muslims can be heard, validated, and included.
Abstract
The media and texts both present stereotypical images that denigrate Muslims, leading to an invalidation of Islam and the marginalization of Muslims. The Canadian Society of Muslims responded to this invalidation by proposing that consenting Muslims be subjected to Muslim Personal Status Laws in Canada. This strategy is inappropriate. In what appears to be an effort to strengthen what it views as the Muslim community against racism, it has called for laws that grant unequal status to women. It thereby separates the issues of racism and sexism and confirms the sexism of Muslim men. However, practices that focus on racism without addressing sexism create a hierarchy of oppressions. Instead, what is required is a reframing of the issues so that racism and sexism are seen as related oppressios that contribute to the invalidation of Islam and the marginalization of Muslims, particularly Muslim women. To accomplish this reframing, re-education of journalists and educators and a concept of multiculturalism that analyzes power dynamics between self and other are needed. Footnotes (Author summary modified)