There was a guy on the BBC Radio a few days ago, saying that he wanted Sharia courts, because he didn't think the government should be interfering in his private affairs. But that misses the point entirely, for there's no suggestion of the government interfering in his right to practice his faith, but just that when the law comes into play -- whether family or criminal law -- it should be the common law of the UK. He can't beat his wife, for example, just because the Koran says he can.
I wrote to BBC Radio and they read it out; couple of days ago now....
To the fellow who asked “why should the government intrude into my private life?” -- the opponents of Shariah law in the UK are not saying that. They (eg, I) are saying that there is no place for Shariah law where the Common Law should correctly have jurisdiction. That is: there is no place for Shariah law in Family Law, including in divorce settlement and custody arrangements. A recent report by OneLawforAll.org.uk shows how Shariah Tribunals have been discriminatory against women and children. And that women are peer-pressured into attending the Shariah Tribunals/Courts. One Law for All is made up of Muslim and non-Muslim, including Muslim women who have fled countries with Shariah law and who are alarmed that it could follow them to the UK. Shariah Tribunals have been established in the UK in response to pressure from the more fundamentalist of Islamists.
BBC Radio's Rozina Sini reports that Sharia courts in the UK are being resorted to by non-Muslims. Maryam Namazie of One Law for All is on the show [at time 4:30], stating -- correctly -- that Sharia law is "fundamentally unfair, unjust and religious law has no place in the 21st Century".
It should be noted that Shariah Tribunals were supposed to focus on Family Law, but there have already been cases where they are trying criminal cases. This mission creep was inevitable. It seem to me that the British tradition of One law for all is being eroded and the people working to support One law for all are fighting for the right principle. One Law for All. Pretty simple.
Yours, etc
