Shariah Law

Sharia law is often viewed as an extreme legal system. For example it forces women to submit to their husbands every demand and in many cases to hide their faces from other males by wearing a veil. Although some may say Sharia law was less sexist up until the 19th century and it is only in the last century or so that the West has moved more towards equality for the sexes. However, it is certain that many women have moved from countries that enforce the Sharia law to the west, just to have the chance of getting a decent job and producing their own income – to have financial independence enshrined by law. Is it right to expect that women should forgo their independence? Do you think that women shouldn’t be able to make their own lives without their husband’s consent? Now some British Muslims are calling for Sharia law to be enforced in their local communities. As Muslim culture has become more and more accepted in our culture some are questioning our own laws and views. The Muslim population in Britain has grown by more than 500,000 to 2.4 million in just four years, according to official research by The Times. Some Muslims who support Sharia law in Britain say that if the government does not enforce Sharia in Britain it could cause splits between communities. But surely if we do enforce Sharia then the communities will be split as Sharia supporters and people who are against Sharia will be split apart. Just as Christians that move to Muslim nations should live by and respect the laws of the country they are living in – so should those who live and work in Britain respect and adhere to long-established civil and common laws.

There are many examples of flaws In the Sharia law. It is reported a teenage single mother was given 100 lashes for adultery, even though she argued she was raped by three men. The court said Bariya Ibrahim Magazu could not prove that the men forced her to have sex. This could be considered further proof of Sharia law being sexist as there are many cases in which women’s appeals are not taken into account. In another case Safiya Hussaini, 35, was sentenced to death by stoning in October for allegedly having a child with a married neighbor. British law would not countenance such so-called ‘punishment’. We do not live in a society in which women are stoned to death to having affairs.

Despite the concerns raised by many within the legal system and across various sectors of society, Sharia law is already being enforced In 10 courts across Britain. Most of the cases dealt with in these unofficial courts are to do with divorces and financial disputes. However, one reported case involved a gang of Somali youths who were allowed to go free after paying compensation to a teenager they had stabbed .This is an example of problems our country could face if we imposed Sharia law. The teen who was stabbed said he felt more bound by his beliefs than the law. These actions only serve to undermine the legal system in the UK. Once questioned – where does it stop? If Sharia Law questions British laws on divorce and financial disputes – why not rape, murder? What kind of unrest might it cause in the country if there is one punishment for those under Sharia Law and another under civil or common law? Sharia law is strongly based on the Quran which was hundreds of years ago. Surely any modern and successful country needs to live according to laws relative to now. If we did enforce any form of Sharia law, the Muslim population would inevitably rise and would call for more and more Sharia law to be introduced. It could also cause conflict between the actual Muslims such as between the Sunni and the Shiites, or even radical groups could form In our country and we could become the very thing we are fighting .With a new generation of Muslims approaching (a majority of Muslims are under four) we need to be able to accept other cultures but maintain our own morals and long held beliefs. But maybe we can show the new generation of Muslims that out laws are adequate.