Debating Sharia

By Anna C. Korteweg

Book Description

This scholarly exploration examines a pivotal moment when religious law intersected with secular governance in contemporary Canada. When Ontario considered allowing Islamic legal principles to guide family arbitration, the resulting controversy revealed deep tensions about faith, identity, and belonging in multicultural societies.

Korteweg presents a multifaceted analysis of the heated 2003-2006 debate that ultimately led to a provincial ban on religious arbitration. Through careful examination of policy decisions, media coverage, and community responses, the book illuminates how discussions about Islamic law became a lightning rod for broader anxieties about religious expression in public life.

The work offers particular insight into how Muslim women were portrayed throughout the controversy, examining feminist perspectives alongside legal and theoretical frameworks. Rather than taking sides, the author reveals how different groups navigated competing values of religious freedom, cultural diversity, and gender equality.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual communities engage with secular institutions, this book provides valuable perspective on the challenges facing religious minorities in Western democracies. It demonstrates how debates about religious practice often reflect deeper questions about inclusion, tradition, and social change.

The comprehensive approach, drawing from multiple research methods and viewpoints, makes complex legal and social dynamics accessible to those seeking to understand contemporary intersections of faith and governance.