THE MUSLIM COUNCIL OF MONTREAL (MCM) DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF INITIATING PROCEDURES FOR SHARIA-BASED FAMILY MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION

December 20, 2004

Following last weeks media reports that the Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) was seeking a meeting with the Quebec Minister of Justice, M. Jacques P. Dupuis, in relation with family mediation, the Minister stated, during a debate in the Quebec National Assembly on Monday 13 December 2004, that “conventional arbitration courts in Quebec are permitted for conflicts of civil nature but not for family matters, and we cannot modify this order of things.”

Salam Elmenyawi, president of the MCM, declared today that the MCM has not initiated any formal or informal procedures with the Quebec Minister of Justice in relation to family mediation or arbitration.

The MCM is, therefore, surprised and concerned by media reports in Quebec, where the Quebec Minister of Justice is ruling out any change to the Quebec civil code in relation to sharia-based family mediation and arbitration, without verifying with Muslim organisations whether they even expressed such a desire.

As any other community, the Muslim community of Quebec, and its organisations, reserve the right to propose in the future, within the boundaries of law, any changes to Quebec legislation that may respond to its needs or improve the judiciary system.