International Campaign Against Shari'a Court in Canada

Petition for One Secular Public School in Ontario Signatures

Whereas Canada/Ontario was found in violation of its international human rights obligations by the United nations Human Rights Committee in 1999 and again in 2005 by virtue of discrimination in the funding of Roman Catholic schools in Ontario;

Whereas the termination of public funding for religion-based schools by the governments of Quebec and Newfoundland has negated the constitutional rationale for public funding of Roman Catholic schools;

Whereas the Ontario Legislature has the power to eliminate public funding to the Roman Catholic school system by passing legislation to that effect, as was done by the legislature of Manitoba;

Whereas the religious segregation of Ontario children undermines the role of public schools in fostering tolerance and respect between Ontarians of different backgrounds; and

Whereas the ONDP has always advocated and supported equality and equity for all Ontarians in the delivery of public services;

Therefore Be It Resolved that the ONDP supports one secular publicly funded and accountable school system, and permit where appropriate, religious instruction in any faith in publicly funded schools outside regular instructional hours.

Sign the petition

Saturday December 12,2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor, World News Editor, Governments/Political Affairs Editor.

Iranian activists demand the arrest of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the official head of state terrorism for its heinous state crimes in Iran, when Ahmadinejad visits Copenhagen

Homa Arjomand calls Press Conference at the Royal Danish Consulate General, # 2 Bloor Street West,Toronto, on Wednesday December 16, 2009 at 11:30AM

Homa Arjomand, Coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada, is calling a press conference where she and other activists will demand the arrest of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Denmark – Copenhagen for crimes against humanity.

“We declare that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the head of state terrorism and controls the state terrorism machinery in Iran. He is responsible for summary trials, Islamic retribution, execution and torture”. “We further declare that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is principal sponsor of the Political Islamic movement not only in the region but also globally. He has no scruples about committing mass destruction. In fact his involvement in Uranium enrichment and his thirst to gain more access to nuclear weapons should be every global citizen’s concern.” said, Homa Arjomand

The protestors claim Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is responsible for terrorizing people globally and sustaining terrorism in everyway he and his government can.

"It is a disgrace to the Danish government and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to consider Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with his record on human rights, the privilege to speak at the Climate conference, especially after the recent uprising in Iran and when the people demanded to overthrow the entire regime on 7^th December 2009,” added Homa Arjomand.

Human Rights Activists will gather in front of the Royal Danish Consulate General at #2 Bloor Street West to demand that Danish government to arrest Ahmadinejad and to have him stand trial in Denmark for the crimes he has committed against people in Iran.

Location: #2 Bloor Street West, Toronto Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 11:30 pm

An open microphone will also be available for other concerned individuals attending the protest. They will be able to expose the crimes and human rights abuses of this Iranian regime and the leading terrorist – President Ahmadinejad.

About the Campaign

Homa Arjomand is the Coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada. She started her campaign in Toronto in October 2003 with a handful of supporters, and today it has grown to a coalition of 87 organizations from 14 countries with over a thousand activists. In February 2006, the Ontario Government passed legislation which ended the use of religious laws for family arbitration. Since then, the Campaign has focused its efforts on stopping political Islam globally. Homa is now Coordinator of a campaign called “Close Down Iranian Embassies” and spokesperson of “Wanted by People”.

Media Contact: Ms. Homa Arjomand 416-737-9500.

Email: homawpi@nosharia.com or homawpi@closedowniranianembassies.com

Web site: www.nosharia.com www.closedowniranianembassies.com www.wantedbypeople.com

Let’s face it Honor Killing is not just a domestic violence. It is murdering.

Let’s face it Honor Killing is not just a domestic violence. It is murdering. Murdering the women whom thought not to be submissive, murdering the young girls who are thought not to be obedient by those who wish to regain their so-called honor in their community.

Public Announcement !

The International Campaign to close down Iranian Embassies

The world must know that the only way out of political Islam and its global aggression is to support the movement of people of Iran to overthrow the Islamic Republic and defend “freedom, equality, prosperity”, for the people of Iran. The People in Iran have spoken. They are demonstrating in the streets, and universities. People in Iran want to overthrow the entire Islamic Republic of Iran, for its terror, imprisonment, gender discriminations, denial of all social and personal freedom and mass execution. They want to get rid of this cruel government for imposing the most inhuman, brutal, misogynist and backward roles on people. Iranian people want universal human and civil rights to become the benchmark.

Never has it been so urgent to stand firm by the people of Iran and proclaim that:

 the Islamic Republic of Iran is directly responsible for terrorizing people globally with its daily crimes against humanity from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to Algeria and Palestine, even in the heart of Europe and the North America; from imposing reactionary and anti-human Islamic laws on people, from beheading and mutilations, to planting bombs and mass murder in buses, café and discotheques;

 the Islamic Republic of Iran is directly responsible for sustaining terrorism as a main tool in further deepening the national, ethnic and religious splits in the Middle East and keeping alive this conflict as political capital and source for its power;

 that every one of the leaders of Islamic Republic of Iran, be it so-called reformists such Khatami, Rafsanjani, and Mosavi or hard liners such as Ahmadinezhad, Khamenei are directly responsible for assassinations and executions of over hundred thousand of Iranian activists both in Iran and abroad;

 that defeating the Islamic Republic in Iran is a prerequisite for demolishing political Islam as a movement, aspiring political power in the Middle East. Without the Islamic Republic of Iran, political Islam will become a trivial and insignificant opposition in the Middle East;

 that President Ahmadinejad along with other leaders of Islamic Regime of Iran has violated Articles 9, 10, 11 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

and therefore demand:

 To close down all Iranian embassies

 To freeze all bank accounts of the leaders of Islamic Republic of Iran

 To expel the Islamic Republic from all the International Agencies

 To trial all the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran in an international court

for their crimes against humanity, in particular in Iran

Homa Arjomand

The coordinator of The International Campaign to close down Iranian Embassies

www.nosharia.com homawpi@nosharia.com 416-737-9500

High lights of a triumph!

A letter to activist fighting against sharia Court and all Faith based Arbitration in England!

It has not been long since the victory against Sharia court in Ontario. It was the force of secularism that pushed back the Ministry of the Attorney General Michael Bryant to put an end to Sharia Court and all faith based arbitration in Ontario on “Feb 15, 2006”. But once this attempt of Islamists was defeated in Canada, They concentrated elsewhere and made their effort in England. Only a progressive political campaign can defeat this Islamic attempt which has so many implications and so many supports within state and parliament of England and political parties and in broad, including the support of many states such as regime of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and others

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Speech delivered at panel discussion entitled: “Islam is incompatible with Western Liberalism”

Hosted by Oxford Union, England, Feb 5^th, 09.

I will start with practical aspect of Islam to prove Islam is incompatible with the norm and values of the liberal democracy and leave out the theory part. Since there are countless scholars sitting on benches of universities, in on-going meetings, and conferences globally working on that part. For this purpose I will focus on reactionary rules of Islam on individuals, in particular children and women .I will then discuss the limitation and restrains that this religion put on freethinkers and seekers of freedom of expression to prove that liberation or moderation in Islam is nothing but a utopia.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor, World News Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor

The coordinator of International Campaign against Sharia Court in Canada opposes religious schools being incorporated into the public system.

"We declare that the rights of the child should take precedence over any national, racial, economic, political, ideological, and religious consideration or interest; Complete separation of religion from education; the State is obliged to ensure a uniform school system for all children under the age 18; No one has the right to prevent the child from all norms and standards and it is the duty of the State to protect the universal rights of the children; no one has a right to segregate children and place them under religious dogmas, traditions and habits; no one has a right to prevent the child from participating in social and leisure activities and prohibiting them from participating in dancing, singing, playing an instrument." We therefore call on the Ontario Provincial Government not to violate the rights of the child. The time has never been more right than today as we call for one secular school system
for all children and no funding for any faith-based schools.

from left to right Homa Arjomand, Elka Ruth Enola, June Callwood, Sally Armstrong

June Callwood at Second Annual International Demonstration against Sharia Court in Canada

"The International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada", right from the beginning announced that the move for interfering with state by the Islamists is a universal move and must be resisted by all the defender of the human rights. Once more we need to defend secularism which is the total separation of religion from the state and education. We need to turn religion into a private matter of individuals where a person’s religion does not enter the picture in defining their social and political identity.

Apology over the caricatures of Mohammad will persuade Islamic movement towards their agenda.

The root of today’s new row of outcry over the caricatures of Mohammad must be sought in Yesterday’s coquet of the western leaders to Islamists movement.

Homa Arjomand’s interview with GP Goteborg against honour killing in support of integration at the conference of “white Carnations” in commemoration of Fadima Shahindal who was a victim of honour killing.

Visual Report on Homa Arjomand receiving the Toronto Humanist of the Year award

It is an honour to be selected as “the annual Toronto Humanist of the Year award”. This action from your organization not only provides me energy and strength to continue the fight for secularism but also will strengthen the forefront of the people’s ranks that are fighting to push back religious values through unequivocal defence of human values.

For this reason I admire your stroke and I am proud for being chosen as Toronto Humanist of the year award.

Homa Arjomand, contre la charia au Canada

AvecAnne Zelensky LDF Ligue du Droit des Femnes Yvette Roudy Ministre on Women's Issue

Homa, ATTACK Dessene Clark, Jocelyne Clarke Press Conference historical place where Jaurès was assassinated

Sihem Habchi Vice-President Ni Putes Ni Soumises Fadela Amara President NPNS, Homa, Sihem Habchi

Homaand Nicole Thuet, President du Collectif 13Doits des femmes Homa and Judith Martin-Razi Coordinator due Collectif 13 droits

October 23, 05 Amsterdam, Netherlands Time: 1:00 PM Where: Zondag 23 oktober ’05,

October 24,05 Paris, France press conference:time 11:15-12:45 Speech:at 6:00PM

October 26,05 Lyon, France Press conference in Lyon will be at 11 am on October 26th

Amsterdam, Netherlands,Perisa: 003164661414, Fereshteh Moradi:0031653927059

France,Lyon Michèle Vianès, 06 10 39 94 87 or michelevianes@chello.fr , Paris Jocelyne Clarke Secretary-general of the UFAL 06 84 56 13 60 JClarke@ufal.org,Collectif droits des femmes Marseille

"there will be no Shariah law in Ontario.
There will be no religious arbitration in Ontario.
There will be one law for all Ontarians." ^{Dalton
McGuinty
September 11, 2005}

^{The International campaign against Sharia court in Canada invites all to
this joyful event.}

For a Potluck Dinner

Our special Guests

Michele Vianes President of the Paris-based group Regards de Femmes, is leading the fight against sharia law and political Islam in France.

SAlly Armstrong,Human rights activist, documentary filmmaker and award-winning author Sally Armstrong was editor-in-chief of Homemaker's magazine from 1988 to 1999.

Address: Cecil Community Centre,58 Cecil St., Toronto Map

(1 block south of College St. on the east of Spadina Avenue.)

Time: 7:00 PM

Admission: $15, or you may donate as you wish

All Donations will be gratefully accepted,
thank you.

“…no religious arbitration in Ontario…
one law for all Ontarians.", says Premier McGuinty
TORONTO – “I got a call about 4 pm Sunday afternoon while I was having dinner with my family, I thought the caller was joking, but it was true … no-faith based arbitration, I am so happy.” said Ms. Homa Arjomand, Coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada.

On Sunday Premier McGuinty was interviewed by the national news agency and made the following statements:

"I've come to the conclusion that the debate has gone on long enough," he said.

"There will be no Shariah law in Ontario. There will be no religious arbitration in Ontario. There will be one law for all Ontarians."

McGuinty rejects Ontario's use of Shariah law and all religious arbitrations

TORONTO (CP) - Ontario will not become the first Western jurisdiction to allow the use of a set of centuries' old religious rules called Shariah law to settle Muslim family disputes, and will ban all religious arbitrations in the province, Premier Dalton McGuinty told The Canadian Press on Sunday.

In a telephone interview with the national news agency, McGuinty announced his government would move quickly to outlaw existing religious tribunals used for years by Christians and Jews under Ontario's Arbitration Act.

"There will be no Shariah law in Ontario. There will be no religious arbitration in Ontario. There will be one law for all Ontarians."

McGuinty said religious arbitrations "threaten our common ground," and promised his Liberal government would introduce legislation "as soon as possible" to outlaw them in Ontario.

"Ontarians will always have the right to seek advice from anyone in matters of family law, including religious advice," he said. "But no longer will religious arbitration be deciding matters of family law."

Last December, a report from former NDP attorney general Marion Boyd recommended the province allow and regulate Shariah arbitrations much the same way it does Christian and Jewish tribunals, setting off a firestorm of protests.

Homa Arjomand, the women's rights activist who organized a series of protests across Canada and Europe last Thursday to convince McGuinty to abandon Shariah, was elated when she heard the news late Sunday.

"I think our voice got heard loud and clear, and I thank the government for coming out with no faith-based arbitrations," said Arjomand. "Oh, I am so happy. That was the best news I have ever heard for the past five years."

Margaret Atwood, Maude Barlow, June Callwood, Shirley Douglas, Michele Landsberg, Flora MacDonald, Margaret Norrie McCain, Maureen McTeer, Sonja Smits, Lois Wilson

An important tenet of Canadian democracy hangs in the balance of your response to the matter of religious arbitration in the province of Ontario. While many Canadians may assume that we are all governed by one system of laws, created by publicly elected officials who are accountable to the electorate, your government is poised to shift the ground under this cornerstone of liberal democracy.

While our public system of law is not always perfect, it is designed to recognize the realities of all citizens and is open to public scrutiny and improvement. Such is not the case with private systems of law, such as religious laws.

The public may identify this issue from media reports as "Sharia law in Ontario," but they, and you, need to understand that this is a matter of the formal separation of all religious matters from the business of the state. This is in no way an infringement on religious freedom, which we endorse as an equally important tenet of Canadian democracy. Religion should simply remain an important part of the lives of citizens but not of public law.

‘…no binding family arbitration in Ontario…
or laws that discriminate against women’ says Attorney General Michael Bryant

TORONTO – “The government is definitely heading in the right direction”, said Ms. Homa Arjomand, Coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada, “I hope this statement by the Attorney General means he will soon bring an end to faith-based courts in Ontario”.

from left to right Homa Arjomand, Elka Ruth Enola, June Callwood, Sally Armstrong

Sharia law protesters to demonstrate
at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill on September 8^th, 12pm

June Callwood, Sally Armstrong, Tarek Fateh, Maureen McTeer and Homa Arjomand are some of the featured speakers…

TORONTO – “On Tuesday Premiere McGuinty said women’s rights ‘will not be compromised’ if Ontario allows Muslims to use Sharia law to settle family legal matters such as divorce and child custody. How does the Premier know this? Has he ever talked to the Muslim women who live in the religious communities where they follow Sharia and are under the control of Mullahs and Imams?”, said Ms. Homa Arjomand, Coordinator of the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada.

“The Premiere wouldn’t meet with us, but I hope he’ll come to our protest where he’ll hear what really happens in a Canadian Sharia court.” said Ms. Arjomand. “How many more children, some as young as thirteen, will be forced to marry in Ontario? How many more Muslim women will be forced to surrender their children… or to pay their husbands thousands of dollars to get a religious divorce so they can remarry in their faith?, she added.

“We’re very disappointed because we had to cancel the speeches of three Muslim women who were abused by Sharia courts in Canada… they wanted to tell their stories but the shelter services in Ontario were unable assure them security and housing.” … maybe Premiere McGuinty can get them safe homes so they can tell their stories?” said Ms. Arjomand.

It has been a year since the International Campaign against Sharia Court in Canada, called for a day of protest, nationally and internationally, against faith based courts in Ontario. The protestors wanted the Ontario to remove family law from the 1991 Arbitration Act.

The Campaign worked hard to inform the general public and the ministries in charge about the high risks of permitting Sharia courts in Ontario.

Unfortunately, despite all the warnings, the government of Ontario has not taken a clear position to prevent the interference of religious institutions in the judicial system.

The Second International Demonstration opposing Sharia and all faith based courts in Ontario will be held on September 8^th, 2005.

Visual Report on Aug 12, 2005 Conference in Toronto

Report on August 12th conference by an observer

Over 400 People attend Toronto Sharia conference despite three changes of venue, no proper ticket selling process and heavy security.

Featuring Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Irshad Manji and Homa Arjomand

TORONTO - Canada, August 12^th, 2005 – Over 400 people filled the ‘Earth Sciences Centre’ at the University of Toronto on August 12^th. Despite three changes of venue leaving less than a week to sell tickets with no proper ticket selling process, People eagerly came to hear three brave women speak about how Sharia law is used to oppress Muslim women in Canada, Holland and around the world.

Dear Campaign Partner,

Thank you for all your hard work and tireless commitment to help make the ‘Toronto Conference on Sharia Law and the Globalization of Political Islam’ a huge success. Over 400 people attended the conference and sixty-six members of the media came out to cover this story. I could not do this conference alone, I appreciate so much each one of you and value greatly the time and skills you contributed to make this event a success.

Together we have sent a clear message to Queen’s Park – “NO Sharia in Canada”

And I believe, one day soon we will see the end of Sharia law in Ontario.

Sincerely

Homa Arjomand

Coordinator

International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada

August 12, 2005

Homa Arjomand

416-737-9500

homawpi@rogers.com

www.nosharia.com

www.childrenfirstnow.com

Speech on Sharia Law and the Globalization of Political Islam

I am very pleased to be here amongst you all, next to Ayaan Hersi Ali and Irshad Manji. It is hard to find opportunities such as this; to be able to share the idea of having a better life for all and identify with the supporters in an audience such as yourselves. So I will make the most of these moments by giving the focus of this discussion to the topic of this conference, Sharia Law and the Globalization of Political Islam.

I need to emphasize that I am talking about political Islam as a movement. As a movement it is very active in politics and is after its own state. Other aspects such as culture and laws serve its political desire and its political needs

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Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor, World News Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor

Ayaan Hrsi Ali to speak at Toronto Sharia law conference, August 12th

Press conference begins at 6:30pm

Together Theo van Gogh, Ayaan Hrsi Ali made the 2004 film ‘Submission’ about the oppression of women in Islamic cultures. Dutch Muslims criticized the film for being disgraceful and blasphemous. Van Gogh was murdered by Mohammed Bouyeri on November, 2^nd, 2004. Ayaan now lives under police protection in a safe house in the Netherlands.

Time Magazine named Ayaan one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005.

Declaration on Religious Arbitration in Family Law

The following groups and organizations have come together out of concern for the application of any religious laws in family matters using the Arbitration Act in Ontario, pursuant to Marion Boyd’s report entitled Protecting Choice, Promoting Inclusion.

List #1

January 12, 2005

From all the organizations to all the MPP’S:

On December 20^th, Ms. Marion Boyd released her report concerning the use of the Arbitration Act of Ontario, 1991 to settle family legal matters based on religious laws. We trust during this adjournment, you will take the time to read this important report in its entirety.

Resolution

Should Faith-Based Arbitrations be Permitted in Ontario ?

Resolution 04-11-01

To Remove Family Law
from the Arbitration Act of Ontario 1991

WHEREAS, the Arbitration Act of 1991 was created to reduce the time and cost for business to settle international disputes regarding business and property through a private court or Tribunal;

WHEREAS, prior to the passage of the Arbitration Act, a religious group approached the government and requested permission to use the Arbitration Act to resolve family legal matters based on their religious customs and law;

Secularism Now

Modern and Progressive

Social and Cultural Norms:

I have chosen “Modern and Progressive Social and Cultural Norms” as the topic of my speech as I think these phenomena have become an area of importance and have become a battlefield across the world. This can be viewed as two antagonistic poles confronting each other: One being progressive and supporting modern secular advancements in society; and the other being reactionary and focusing on preserving backward standards and beliefs.

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Monday, July 4th, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor, World News Editor. Government/Political Affairs Editor

NDP says “arbitration has no place in family law”

TORONTO, Canada – In a statement published on their website, the provincial NDP party has called on the Liberal government to end the use of arbitration for family legal matters.

“Ontario New Democrats believe …there is sufficient evidence to conclude arbitration has no place in family law.”

http://www.ontariondp.com/news/article_234.php

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Excellent news!!!

Queen's Park puts off decision on Islamic law's role in family cases

Lee Greenberg

National Post

Monday, June 13, 2005

An anticipated decision on the future of shariah law in Ontario will likely
be postponed. Attorney-General Michael Bryant backed off his original June
21 deadline to introduce changes to the province's arbitration laws."There's
no hard and fast dates," he said in an interview. "We want to make sure that
we do this in a timely fashion, but we want to make sure that we get it
right." Currently the province's arbitration system allows any beliefs --
including religious doctrine -- to govern family disputes. Liberal MPP
Jean-Marc Lalonde said he met a Tunisian parliamentarian who told him he was
monitoring Ontario's decision." They're scared," he said. "They're paying
attention to what Ontario's going to do."

Homa Arjomand, contre la charia au Canada

Interview regarding Struggle of women in Iran

YWCA Toronto Supports Quebec Decision on Religious Arbitration

Request for a meeting with The Honourable Irwin Cotler,Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Inaction on Kazemi poses journalistic threat - CEP

A Meeting to Discuss Shari'a Court in Ontario

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