The Government of Canada has announced the launch of ‘Halal Mortgage (Loan)’ for Muslims in its annual budget. Under this, Muslims will get exemption from interest on government loans. The people there are calling this step of the Trudeau government as appeasement and vote bank politics. Apart from this, there has been talk of banning foreigners from buying land in Canada for two years. This scheme is being seen as an initiative with special focus on the Muslim community. Also, the Government of Canada is working on making the people of the country homeowners.
What is halal mortgage?
In fact, Halal mortgage is in accordance with Islamic law, which prohibits charging interest, considering it a form of usury. Whereas other Abrahamic religions like Judaism and Christianity also view usury as a sin. According to Islam, borrowing can be done, but charging interest on it is a sin, in such a situation the government has started Halal Mortgage Scheme for Muslims. Many people on social media called it a ‘woke idea’, which aims to benefit a section of the society.
So to say it in other words – the loan taken against property is called mortgage loan. In mortgage loan, any person pledges his property to any financial institution and takes some amount as loan and after paying the loan amount, he gets back the ownership of his property.
Trudeau government’s decision:
In its annual budget, the Trudeau government unveiled plans to introduce halal mortgages aimed at meeting the financial needs of the Muslim community. The move is considered as part of a broader strategy to engage with minority communities and provide equitable access to financial services.
Criticism and allegations:
However, the announcement has drawn criticism, with some Canadians condemning it as appeasement for votes. Critics argue that the government’s decision to introduce religious-based financial products sets a dangerous precedent and blurs the lines between state and religion.
Public reaction:
Citizens have taken to social media platforms to express their dissatisfaction over the Trudeau government’s decision. Some see it as an attempt to promote specific religious groups, while others question the need for special treatment based on faith in a secular state.
People angry at Trudeau government
Many people have expressed displeasure over this decision of the Trudeau government and have called such a step an alleged ‘intellectual idea’.
Criticizing this move of the Trudeau government, Paul Mackel, who lives in the Alberta province of Canada, wrote on the social media platform X,
“Trudeau’s Liberals have introduced halal mortgages for Muslims. There is also the potential for changes in the tax treatment of products. Different tax treatment for religious financial products? What is this?
Trudeau Liberals to introduce “Halal Mortgages” for Muslims.
“This could include changes in the tax treatment of these products”
Religious financial products with different tax treatment? What? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/VhplCTFer2
— Paul Mitchell (@PaulMitchell_AB) April 16, 2024
Another Canadian citizen, Cory Morgan, wrote on X, “This is a completely new and dangerous level of intellectual thought. The government should not try to enforce financial rules under old religious rules.”
@JustinTrudeau introduced Halal mortgages to bribe Canadian Muslims. In the next budget he will sweeten the deal and introduce Halal pork.
— Maher Arar (@ArarMaher) April 17, 2024
Taking aim at Trudeau, another Canadian citizen wrote on Twitter, “Justin Trudeau has introduced Halal mortgage to bribe Canadian Muslims. In the next budget, he will make this deal even better by introducing Halal pork.”
“trudeau, we lost the muslim vote because of the transgenderism bills!”
“..bring out the halal mortgages” https://t.co/lrBYydGbJU pic.twitter.com/xTXRmyM6Jt— kache (dingboard.com) (@yacineMTB) April 17, 2024
Another user wrote on Twitter, “Trudeau – We lost the Muslim vote because of the Transgender Bill… so bring in the Halal Mortgage Bill.”
Muslim population in Canada:
According to the 2021 census, Islam has the highest number of followers in Canada after Christianity. According to the 2021 census, 18 lakh citizens are followers of Islam. This population is more than double as compared to 2001. In 2001, the total population of Muslims in Canada was estimated at around 2 percent. Whereas in 2021 it has increased to 4.9%.
At the same time, the Hindu population has also more than doubled in 2021 as compared to 2001. In the 2001 census, the total Hindu population was estimated at 1 percent. It has increased to 2.3 percent in 2021. According to the 2021 census, more than 8 lakh to 30 thousand citizens in Canada are followers of Hinduism.
According to the report, more than half of Canada’s population i.e. 53.3 percent belongs to Christianity. At the same time, more than 1.20 crore people i.e. more than one third of the population of Canada do not belong to any religion.
Highlights of the budget:
This budget presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is being called a housing-centric budget. The government has estimated a deficit of $39.8 billion for the financial year 2024-25. This budget includes new spending of $ 53 billion over the next five years, under this, Canadian youth will be given exemption to buy houses. To partially offset the new spending, the government has increased taxes in some places, which could generate additional revenue of $18.2 billion over the next five years.
conclusion, The introduction of halal mortgages in Canada’s annual budget has sparked debate and raised questions about the role of religion in government policies. The move, aimed at meeting the financial needs of the Muslim community, has sparked criticism and allegations of political opportunism. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen whether Trudeau will lead the How will the government resolve this controversial issue amid public scrutiny?
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