MONTREAL, Canada: Canadian Muslims have criticized a decision by Quebec lawmakers not to allow Islamic tribunals to arbitrate in personal and family matters in the province.

In a statement, the Canadian Islamic Congress said Quebec's rejection of Islamic tribunals is both "racist" and "discriminatory" and legislators have taken a "dangerous direction" in this matter.

"Could anyone imagine such a motion coming up about Canadian Jews or Christians?" the statement added. "It simply would not be tolerated."

Quebec's national assembly last week unanimously approved a resolution opposing the use of Islamic tribunals in Quebec and in Canada.

In doing so, the province distanced itself from neighboring Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, which earlier held out the possibility that Shariah law may be applied by local spiritual leaders to resolve such disputes.

According to the most recent census in 2001 there are 600,000 Muslims in Canada, including 108,000 in Quebec.