Sharia Courts in the UK.

[Sam Slater]

I agree, David, however we must take into account the social and cultural pressures put on young, mainly female, women in the Muslim community who may feel they have little choice in conforming to Sharia Law when they don't want to.

I mean, when it comes to divorce the wife gets fuck all apart from her own personal possessions. No house, no kids, nothing. This is why Muslim men buy their wives-to-be lots and lots of clothes and jewellery before marriage. Traditionally it was a kind of insurance policy. If, after being married, the husband wanted a divorce the clothes and jewellery were compensation so the woman wouldn't starve or be left on the streets.

These days, in a western society, that won't happen but it's not against British law for a woman to sign over the house and kids to the husband. She may be in put in a position by a Sharia court, as well as the community to do so for fear of repercussions. While she doesn't have to abide by a Sharia court decision, because it is intertwined so much with religion and tradition, refusing to comply with the court's decision won't be just seen as a strictly legal matter amongst her friends, family and neighbours. Many will feel they have no other choice if they don't want to be totally ostracised.

When it comes to money lending and the like I'm not as worried, but when it comes to things, specifically disputes between a man and a woman, Sharia can be very very discriminatory, yet British law cannot intervene if all parties agree to the decision.

I mean, if you agreed to the terms of some employment contract, or rules of a some members club, you wouldn't be shunned or excluded from your community for breaking your promises. Things are a little different when you're a Muslim ignoring the decision of an Islamic court.

I know Muslim friends who would tell their non-Muslim friends that they don't want Sharia. Their families came here to get away from shit like that. However, in front of their Imam, father and uncles they'd give a very different answer.

[David Johnson]

"I agree, David, however we must take into account the social and cultural pressures put on young, mainly female, women in the Muslim community who may feel they have little choice in conforming to Sharia Law when they don't want to.

I mean, when it comes to divorce the wife gets fuck all apart from her own personal possessions. No house, no kids, nothing. This is why Muslim men buy their wives-to-be lots and lots of clothes and jewellery before marriage. Traditionally it was a kind of insurance policy. If, after being married, the husband wanted a divorce the clothes and jewellery were compensation so the woman wouldn't starve or be left on the streets."

I agree entirely, Sam. That is one of the many reasons I have always been against single faith schools of whatever faith. It is these sorts of issues that need to be discussed in the open. For example, a lot of Western women who are living with blokes without being married, don't realise how little rights they actually have. These traditions/laws need to be discussed as part of a multi-faith school.

The need to teach kids to think for themselves and question what they hear around them is a greatly underestimated educational requirement as far as I can see.

Cheers
D

[andy at handiwork]

Orthodox Jews in Britain have for many years been able to use the Beth Din, a religious court, in civil matters such as divorce, litigation and property issues. The service provided by the Beth Din is best described as binding civil arbitration, and it does not seek to replace the state's civil courts. If one side does not accept the authority of the Beth Din, concerning divorce or any dispute, it cannot act. I dont see a similar arrangement for Muslims as much different really and certainly no grounds for the pavlovian Muslim-bashing that such issues cause when raised.

[Sam Slater]

Couldn't argue with any of that, David...........well, apart from the following: "These traditions/laws need to be discussed as part of a multi-faith school."

I'd say 'discussed as part of a non-faith school'. !happy! Unless you meant 'multi-ethnic' or 'multi-racial', to which I'd agree.

[Lizard]

"I agree, David, however we must take into account the social and cultural pressures put on young, mainly female, women in the Muslim community who may feel they have little choice in conforming to Sharia Law when they don't want to."

Mainly female women, have you been on the turps again?

[Sam Slater]

I know, I know. I noticed after posting! If only I could blame it on the turps.

We so need an etid fcatiliy!