Muslim Dial a Marriage approved for Immigration to Canada

by Barry Artiste | February 16, 2008 at 08:56 am

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Again the Issue of Reasonable Accommodation of certain Cultures afforded others in Canada, yet not available to the general populace certainly needs to be addressed with our Federal Government whose "Unclear on the Concept" of equality for all Canadians certainly does not apply time and
time again.

Recent media reports on Dial a Marriage speaks volumes again on the inadequacies of Equality in Canada.

Certainly this Dial a Marriage scheme could contribute to spousal abuse or worse when sight unseen marriages between two people with one living abroad and one in Canada. Though it is stated this is a rare occurrence in the Muslim community, ongoing reasonable accommodations protests sent to the Prime Minister seem to have gone unheeded on the issue of favoritism for some and not for others will surely raise it's ugly head amongst Immigrants and Canadians alike who are not afforded this same courtesy when seeking a bride, groom or same sex partner outside of Canada.

A veiled photo of a woman in a hijab showing most likely only her eyes and sent to a prospective suitor certainly is a dangerous game for the women, if, upon a marriage and later reflection by her husband once the veil is lifted on the day of consummation may put the woman’s life in danger if her appearance or demeanor is not pleasing to her husband.

This will only result in a myriad of headaches for both the Canadian government (Immigration) and the taxpaying public who may have to support the woman and any children resulting from the marriage.

Though Immigration Canada state anyone who sponsors someone from another country is responsible for his or her financial well being for 10 years will fall to the husband; To this I say, Well good luck with that. !!

Somehow I fear if this is allowed to continue by our Federal Government after years of reports in the media of Cultural killings of women in Canada by their spouses may attribute to an already growing problem, this may be exacerbated by spouses who wish a Cultural murder as a quickie divorce and absolution of a decade or more of financial spousal support payments. Then they are free to do this all over again, with some other unsuspecting bride.

Everyone in Canada must be treated equal with all the same rights; again, another fine Government failure to listen to the voters as once again we have an example amongst many, many other proven cases where equality for all does not apply for us.

Islamic law allows telephone nuptials, which enables Muslims to sponsor loved ones to Canada

By TOM GODFREY, SUN MEDIA

The Toronto Sun

Long-distance telephone marriages can be dialled up under sharia law and then used to sponsor loved ones into Canada, Muslim leaders say.

Two Muslim leaders have told the Toronto Sun telephone marriages are permissible under Islamic law and require two witnesses and imams here and abroad to conduct the vows, which may have the bride in Pakistan and the groom in Toronto.

Once completed, a marriage certificate is obtained abroad legitimately in Muslim countries and can be used by the groom for sponsoring his new wife to Canada, one Mississauga imam said.

Mumtaz Ali, of the Canadian Association of Muslims, said he conducted a telephone marriage between a student in Toronto and his about-to-be wife in India.

"He was a university student and couldn't leave," Ali said. "It is a civil contract and the vows were conducted over the phone."

A marriage certificate was obtained and the student was able to sponsor his wife to Canada, he said.

The vow takes less than five minutes and a dowry is exchanged to seal the ceremony, Ali said.

'NOT WIDESPREAD'

"These telephone marriages are taking place but are not widespread," said the former lawyer for the Ontario attorney-general's office. "The parties must know each other and have developed a relationship. Most of the times the couple have been introduced by family members," Ali said. "In many cases one person may not be able to leave the country."

Imam Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, of Ja'ffari Islamic Centre, in Toronto, said: "These marriages are perfectly acceptable under sharia law ... the marriage certificate is taken to the Canadian embassy where it is recognized."

Immigration spokesman Karen Shadd-Evelyn said her officials are aware of the telephone marriages.

"In spousal sponsorship applications, the validity of all marriages is evaluated," Shadd-Evelyn said. "It is incumbent on the applicant to prove the relationship was not entered into to benefit from immigration."