As a Devout Muslim and Loving Father

"I conclude and direct to members of the medical team that she be withdrawn from life-sustaining treatments and be provided with palliative care because it is in her best interests." 

"Even assuming [the girl's] parents think that their decision is motivated by religious beliefs and love for [the girl], I am left with a concern that their decision may in fact be affected by self-interest."          Justice June Ross

Self interest?  However could that be?  Well, it could be that because doctors at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Alberta who have arrived at the conclusion that further efforts should be not be taken to prolong the two-year-old's life because she will never recover.  "We are advising all decision-makers to stop life-sustaining therapy.  This is a child who is likely to die in the short-to-medium time period."

And when that child dies the criminal charges brought against the parents, the pious father and the concerned mother worried  about the welfare of their child, will be upgraded to murder.  They are currently in prison, awaiting trial on two charges of aggravated assault, criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to provide the necessities of life for abusing their children. 

That is to say their twin girls.  The third child, a boy, was in good health.

Paramedics had been called to an Edmonton home in May where the family lived.  The two infant girls were found in a severely emaciated condition.  They weighted 13 pounds and 16 pounds when they were discovered in perilous shape.  The parents told police that their girls had fallen down a flight of five stairs, hitting their heads, five days before the paramedics were called in.

When examined by the paramedics one of the infants was in cardiac arrest.  She had sustained a severe head injury that caused brain damage.  The other twin was starved and injured as well, but now is recovering in a foster home.  "Parents maintain that the girls were able to walk with assistance and could crawl before they fell down the stairs", according to a report by a Children & Family Services caseworker.

"Medical evidence suggests that this could not be possible."  When they arrived at the Stollery Children's Hospital one was comatose, the other "hardly able to sit unsupported", after admission.  One of the infants had a bed sore inconsistent with a mobile child.  Bruises examined on the two little girls' heads appeared the result of multiple impacts, not a single unfortunate event.  Their "dire nutritional state" a long-term neglect result.

The parents denied having abused their children.  After their arrest they instructed doctors to take every measure to ensure the comatose girl was kept alive.  It is a matter of faith, and of love.

"My religious belief is that if it is Allah's will that despite all the doctors can do for [the girl] that she passes from this life, then it is God's will.  As a devout Muslim and loving father, I find it unthinkable to agree to limit or withdraw medical treatment."