Canada to review polygamist's entry bid

TORONTO, March 31 (UPI) -- A Pakistani Muslim with two wives has won a second Canadian immigration hearing, this time based on him taking one wife into the country.

The Federal Court of Canada ruled a Canadian visa officer in Pakistan erred by concluding the first hearing for Shaikh Akhtar Hussain by reporting he was in a "peculiar, polygamist family situation," the Toronto Sun reported.

Hussain's Toronto lawyer, Ali Amini, told the Sun his client, a retired banking executive, is willing to first bring his first wife and their six children and then sponsor his second wife months later.

"It is quite common under Muslim laws for a man to have up to four wives," he said, adding Hussain was honest and forthright about having two wives.

Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland told the Sun people involved in polygamous relationships aren't allowed in Canada.

"Polygamy is illegal under the Criminal Code," Kurland said.

However, Amini said if the second hearing is unsuccessful he will file a constitutional appeal citing religious freedom, the report said.