I Remember Alia Hogben

Alia Hogben asked for my help when she and the Canadian Council of Muslim Women challenged the 2003 proposal by the Islamic Institute of Civil Justice to determine family law matters using a faith-based arbitration tribunal, which would apply only Sharia law. They maintained that Sharia law had outmoded and, in some cases, had abusive attitudes toward women.

I had been part of the effort to secure for Ontario women full rights to share property accumulated during a marriage and improve spousal support rights, among other things. I heartily agreed with Ms. Hogben that Muslim women were entitled to the same rights and benefits of the Ontario Family Law Act 1986 as other Ontario women and should not be required to accept religious rulings instead of the civil courts. I and others joined her in the public challenge to the Islamic Institute proposal.