Reaction at globeandmail.com to Monday’s article on Muslim youth in Canada was swift, and divided. Many online commenters expressed fear about how growth in the Muslim population will change Canada. In response, Muslim readers went online to address misconceptions about how they reconcile their faith with their citizenship. In one exchange, Sameer Zaheer, a 23-year-old Muslim who grew up in Mississauga, connected with two non-Muslim commenters dubbed BlaqueJacqueShallaque and Dyssiden.
BlaqueJacqueShallaque: If they were forced to choose between obeying Canadian law and Islamic law, which would they choose? And once there are 3.1-million Muslims in Canada, will it even be possible to enforce Canadian law?
Sameer Zaheer: In a country where the Constitution (Charter of Rights and Freedoms) protects freedom of religion, why would a Muslim (or Christian or Jew) ever be asked to choose between his/her religion and following the law?
Dyssiden: I must admit that BlaqueJacqueShallaque`s point has me (and many, many Canadians) a little worried as well. Sameer, tell me – Is there room for two sets of laws in one country?
If we genuinely preach and practice separation of Mosque-Church and State and loyality to the country then the non-Muslims should have nothing to fear from the Muslim population.