A variety of Canadian voices come together here to explore some of the vital issues facing Muslims in Canada. Who, indeed, is a Canadian Muslim? This is only one of the fundamental questions addressed in this volume. The authors are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, hail from coast to coast, and profess varying degrees of practice and belief. In their thoughtful contributions, they explore matters of faith, identity, sectarianism, human rights, and women's rights. Specifically, the essays collected here question the dubious role of the government of Canada--under pressure from the "war on terror"--and its agencies regarding scientific research and the Muslim traditions of knowledge and intellectual pursuits; give examples of tolerant Muslim upbringing and reinforcement of positive identities; point out the duplicitous practices of certain Canadian media in portraying Muslims; look at the issues of women voting or participating in sports while veiled, and the implications of Shariah law as a means of arbitration.

With contributions by: Anar Ali, Arif Babul, Anver M Emon, Karim H Karim,Ausma Zehanat Khan, Rukhsana Khan, Sheema Khan, Amin Malak, Syed Mohamed Mehdi, and Haroon Siddiqui.

Natasha Bakht's profile page

Natasha Bakht is an assistant professor of law at the University of Ottawa. She was called to the bar of Ontario in 2003 and served as a law clerk to Justice Louis Arbour at the Supreme court of Canada. Her research interests are generally in the area of law, culture, and minority rights and specifically in the intersecting area of religious freedom and women's equality. Natasha has written extensively on the issue of religious arbitration in family law. her pro bono work includes active membership in the law Program Committee for the women's Legal Education and Action fund (LEAF). Natasha is also an Indian contemporary dancer and choreographer. She is the 2008 co-recipient of the KM Hunter Artists Award.