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| Elections in Canada - which party is closest to Is |
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| olive_tree |
| 06/05/04 at 20:30:32 |
| [slm] All those in Canada have probably been hearing a lot about the upcoming elections (and of course the Stanley Cup hockey game :) ). I was wondering if you know which one of the political parties has values (if they have values :P ) closest to our beliefs - like for example issues of same-sex marriage :o. I know Dr. Moniz Mazigh (Maher arar's wife) is standing for the NDP but they are for the same-sex marriage, aren't they? I heard the Conservatives might be against it ? Is that true? looking forward to your views... Salam :-) |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| sis |
| 06/05/04 at 21:24:09 |
| wa alaykum alsalam wa rhmat Ullahi wa barakatuh:-) This is something I have to educate myself about too. There's actually a resource guide that CAIR-CAN put together. You can check it out on their website. http://www.caircan.ca/ And something else to check out is CIC's election research report. http://canadianislamiccongress.com/election2004/ Unfortunately, I have yet to go through either of these. But, I guess you know where to get some info from now. May Allah ta'ala guide us to the decisions which will facilitate our way into jannat-ulfirdaws..ameen. walsalamu alaykum wa rhmat Ullahi wa barakatuh |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| Barr |
| 06/07/04 at 21:01:09 |
| [wlm] warahmatullah, I think we need to look at various parties in its totality, vis-a-vis its values, policies & history and their impact on Muslim interests. The dilema I find is that all parties seem to have both values that goes in line as well as against Muslim values at variant degrees. For example, the Conservatives shares the same concern of same sex marriage and pro-life issues. Currently, the issue of same-sex marriages (SSM) is decided by the courts, and the Conservatives would want SSM to be decided by parliament if they are elected - which means, tough luck for SSM to flourish here. This is all great, but the conservatives are also the same people who would put Canada @ war with Iraq as well. Issues such as a more just taxation, social and civil rights, do not hold well with this right-winged group. The NDP on the other hand is great with social and civil rights, environmental concerns etc, which I feel is so Islamic. Thus far, I feel they're really genuine and many of their ideas supersedes other parties - which benefits not only the Muslim community, but Canada as a nation. But they're also into equal rights for gays ( = pro-SSM), pro-choice etc. And that doesn't hold well with Muslims either. The Liberals are more in the middle, but they are fraught with corruption scandals & integrity issues, and their stand on policies that are of a concern to us, are more dependent on what the polls say, rather than being value-centric. I think we need to weigh the priorities and the extent of their policy effect when and if implemented - which one gives a greater good, and a lesser evil? Here's an article which may give some food for thought. Allahua'lam ============================================ In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful GOOD NEWS ALERT # 136 CAIR-CAN PUBLISHES OP-ED IN THE OTTAWA CITIZEN Piece is 44th op-ed published to date (Ottawa, Canada - 27/5/2004) - Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to God), CAIR-CAN recently published an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen. The op-ed, reproduced at the end of the alert, is entitled, "A tyranny of choice for Canada's Muslims." CAIR-CAN has now published 44 commentaries in papers such as the Globe and Mail, the Ottawa Citizen, the Toronto Star, the Montreal Gazette, the Calgary Herald, the Edmonton Journal, the Winnipeg Free Press and the Cape Breton Post. All the op-eds are available at CAIR-CAN's web archive: http://www.caircan.ca/op_ed.php. ---- A tyranny of choice for Canada's Muslims Ottawa Citizen, 07/06/04 By Riad Saloojee (Riad Saloojee is the Executive Director of CAIR-CAN) For as long as I can remember, the choice between political candidates and parties has never been this confusing. Even though candidates will likely try to be everything to everyone in the coming weeks, this election poses a real dilemma for Canadian Muslims and what seems to be their newfound political consciousness. Welcome to Election 2004 and, for some, a tyranny of choice. Comprising over 44 different ethnicities and hailing from diverse social, cultural and political communities, Canadian Muslims are a complex and class-divided demographic. Landed and professional communities have historically gravitated toward the Liberals, seen as immigrant-friendly, committed to multiculturalism, and the poster party for stability and middle-of-the-road politics. But in this election, a number of issues are stirring in the political pot. Post-9/11 has been a catalyst for many Canadian Muslims. There is an emerging realization among them that complacency, apathy and a mindset of victimization are their greatest enemies. If they do not speak up, no one will speak up on their behalf. And, like many Canadians, they are concerned about issues such as health care, education, child care, employment, immigration and taxes. It is vitally important that Canadian Muslims not become fixated, as in the past, on international issues only. Canadian Muslims have been directly affected by security legislation and, as such, can contribute toward the evolution of social justice by demanding safeguards against abuses carried out in the name of security. Many ethnic groups have gone through similar trials in Canada and, by fighting discrimination, each has emerged with its role further entrenched in the Canadian mosaic. The experience of many Canadian Muslims post-9/11 has made them more sensitive to issues of identity, civil liberties, racial profiling and national security. Many who came to Canada -- and even those born here -- have seen a real erosion of civil liberties directly affecting them, their families and their communities. A wish list for Canadian Muslims might include: a review of the anti-terrorism legislation; more thorough scrutiny of the Public Safety Act and its unprecedented executive power in collecting and sharing information on Canadian citizens; an overhaul of the non-transparent security certificate process; oversight of our security agencies to ensure that racial profiling -- which does exist in Canada -- stops; and the need for increased debate and participation in policies on security and safety. Many Canadian Muslims and Arabs feel that their concerns have been taken for granted. Post-9/11 issues have not abated and are still fairly fresh in the memories of voters. Hell hath no fury like a voter spurned. With a new mix of issues and an emerging political consciousness, who knows what Canada's 600 000 Muslims will do on June 28? How likely, for example, are the Liberals to reclaim the Canadian Muslim vote? In the wake of a scandal-ridden past, it appears that Paul Martin could provide new moral stewardship. Or the Martin team may be seen as "same-old." Mr. Martin might also be too Tory for many traditional Liberals. As the party is suffering from a stigma of being too aloof from its ethnic constituency, don't underestimate a protest vote. The NDP, with its ideas of a benevolent state, its commitment to social justice and its principled stand on both domestic and international civil liberties, is a natural choice for some Canadian Muslims. Add to the mix the "Monia effect" -- the re-awakening of many Canadian Muslims, spurred on by Monia Mazigh's run for office as the NDP candidate in Ottawa South-- and you may get real gains. But is the Monia effect enough to travel into other diverse cosmopolitan centers with large concentrations of Canadian Muslims? The uneasy union between the Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance in the new Conservative Party of Canada has left many unanswered questions that may attract or repel Canadian Muslim voters. Some of them, feeling strongly about traditional family values, align naturally with the old Canadian Alliance, while others -- Tory supporters -- are suspicious of the Canadian Alliance's record in defending cherished civil liberties and human rights, both at home and abroad. They are hoping that the new party is more left than right. It is a marriage-on-the-rocks that needs to stabilize before month's end. The bewitching conundrum about the Canadian Muslim community is that its issues cut across party lines. There is no set-formula. Our media would love a catch-all story about Canadian Muslims voting en masse on a single issue, but alas... Still, this election is a critical turning point for Canadian Muslims. Far from asserting their emerging demographic muscle through a bloc vote, it is a time to resist civic cynicism, to stand up and be counted locally, to anchor themselves firmly as Canadians -- to show political entrepreneurs that they are here to stay, that Canada is home. Riad Saloojee is the executive director of the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations. I think CIC did a good initiative on listing real concerns of Muslims and how the parties |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| olive_tree |
| 06/08/04 at 19:08:43 |
| [slm] Thank you both for the great links and insight. Jazak Allahu Khairyan. Sis Barr, you say: "The NDP on the other hand is great with social and civil rights, environmental concerns etc, which I feel is so Islamic. Thus far, I feel they're really genuine and many of their ideas supersedes other parties - which benefits not only the Muslim community, but Canada as a nation. But they're also into equal rights for gays ( = pro-SSM), pro-choice etc. And that doesn't hold well with Muslims either." I believe the Muslims with NDP are saying that they cannot make this is a one policy issue. There is a lot of positive issues with ndp (like you mention the social and civil rights), and it looks like they are genuine. BUT my biggest concern with them is the SSM (ie accepting gay actions) which is a basic, clear, no-doubt-about-it sin in Islam. So by voting for them, we might basically be accepting their view about ssm. What do u think? Salam :-) |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| Barr |
| 06/26/04 at 20:47:19 |
| [wlm] warahmatullah wabarakaatuh, Please forgive for replying late - just got back from the Adirondacks a few days ago. Afwan. In the context of Canada, where no single party has a 100% compatible friendly policies towards Muslims, it is impossible to vote for a party and be 100% compliant with all of its philosophies, issues and policies. For example, no party has a policy towards alcohol, gambling, prostitution, riba' and other vices that is Islamic compliant. Yet, it is vital that every Muslim vote, and take part developing a nation, where one calls home - to further improve on its living conditions, harmony, justice, moral and economic health etc. As such, the application of weighing the maslahah & mafsadah (benefits & harms) applies. Knowing the parties' platforms, philosophies, history and issues are important to make a more informed decision. Muslims should reject NDP's policy on SSM or other policies from other parties that are not in line with the Shari'ah. But we should also look at phe current waqi' (context) of Canada and what benefits the different parties can offer. In the context of homosexuality - it is already an openly accepted culture here in Canada. It is in the media, schools - everywhere. The issue that is of contention is whether politicians or the courts should decide on the permissability of SSM. No other parties have a clear-cut policy to stop SSM. Voting for them, doesn't mean, SSM will disappear and homosexuality stopped in the near future. In addition, the issue of SSM would only affect 0.41% of all Canadian families (Statitics Canada) - if they so decide to get married in the first place. Compare that to the more pertinent issues that would affect the vast majority of Canadians - muslims & non-muslims - and we can easily see which issues take priority and which should take less of our pre-occupation. Do go through the study on issues that are of major concerns for Muslims prepared by CIC, read commentaries & analysis and surf though the parties sites, inshaAllah. Globe & Mail does a pretty good site on the elections too. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/generated/realtime/specialDecision2004.html http://www.globeandmail.com/special/federalelection/citizens/index.html And last but not least - do make istikharah. Our vote is important. Allahua'lam |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| olive_tree |
| 06/27/04 at 16:28:09 |
| [slm] Sis Barr, Thank you for your reply. It is indeed quite insightful. Jazak Allahu Khairan. Have you already decided who you are going to vote for? and Sister sis? May Allah SWT Guide us all and Keep un under His Protection. Ameen. Salam :-) |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| ltcorpest2 |
| 06/27/04 at 16:55:34 |
| does anyone find it very fitting that this thread is in the personal problem section rather than in the Ummah section. those Canadians can't quite figure it out. The only good thing they have going for them is hockey and even then....they have to come to california to figure out how to make their hockey rinks smooth. |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| Barr |
| 06/27/04 at 22:44:57 |
| [wlm] warahmatullah, Nope, I'm afraid I hv not decided - for the mere fact that I'm not Canadian. I just get towed with its politics becoz I live here, and my husband has a passion for politics. But if I am to vote, I'd be torn between the NDP and the Liberals. The NDP, becoz, of the reasons in my 1st post (except the SSM et al of course). And the Liberals, becoz, though I'd hate to see another dishonest party ruling Canada again - I would never ever want the Conservatives to hold the reins @ Parliament Hil ala George Bush. Especially since competition is soooo close between the Liberals and the Conservatives - I shudder at the thought of a Conservative Govt. I also, reasoned that not all Liberals are the same, and it really depends on who the candidate is - plus... maybe, the Liberals are "punished" enough. Allahua'lam. If I'm Canadian, I'd do my istikharah. Maybe other Canucks like JustOne, Himy et al can shed more light, inshaAllah. Wassalamu'alaikum |
| Re: Elections in Canada - which party is closest t |
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| jannah |
| 06/28/04 at 04:23:13 |
| oooo mike bold talk......i'd be careful.. u might get some big canadian hockey fans with sticks come after you... and after all your nice weather u soft californians aren't a match for those hardened canadians from 8 foot snows and cold ;) i think its here cause they need advice on who to vote for... but alhamdulillah i am here to help... don't vote for bush!!! j/k ;) |
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