UK Muslims Praise Top Judge on Shari`ah
--A call by Britain's top judge for applying Islamic Shari`ah in some parts of the British legal system has drawn appraisal from British Muslims, saying the move would promote the country's diversity.
"It is a credit to this country's strong and independent judiciary that Lord Phillips has put the demands of justice above those of the prevailing political narrative," Muhammad Abdel Bari, Secretary General of the umbrella Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), said in a statement on the group's website.
Lord Chief Justice Nicholas Phillips said Thursday that Islamic Shari`ah could play a role in the British legal system.
"There is no reason why principles of Shari`ah law, or any other religious code, should not be the basis for mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution," he said.
Shari`ah Courts in UK: A Muslim Judge's Experience
The MCB said Britain should start a thoughtful discourse on the inclusion of certain elements of Shari`ah in the British legal system.
"The MCB reaffirms its commitment to the principle of equality before the law and welcomes Lord Phillips' call for Muslims to be allowed to apply elements of Islamic law to the governance of personal relationships where this does not conflict with the laws of the land.
"The MCB also strongly supports the appeal of the Lord Chief Justice for suitably qualified Muslims to join the judiciary."
Britain is home to nearly 2 million Muslims.
British Muslims said the top judge's call for Shari`ah inclusion will help clear misconceptions about Shari`ah and promote diversity in Britain.
"Lord Phillips shows the importance of tackling ignorance on important issues, he stands taller today in the Muslim community," Mohammed Shafiq, Director of the Ramadhan Foundation, said.
"I am grateful that the Lord Chief Justice has made this important intervention into tackling some of the misconceptions of Shari`ah law."
The Lord Chief Justice said that the Islamic Shari`ah has been widely misunderstood, defending a call by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to recognize some parts aspects of Shari`ah to resolve Muslim civil matters.
"When the Archbishop of Canterbury raised this issue there were fascist headlines in some newspapers and unnecessary hatred directed towards Muslims, we should debate these issues but they must be in a respectful manner that is tolerant of other views," said Shafiq.
Williams' call for recognizing some aspects of Shari`ah ignited an extraordinary political and religious storm in Britain, with politicians united in denouncing the proposal.
"There is clearly an appetite in this country for some elements of Shari`ah law to be implemented in relation to finance and family matters," said Shafiq.
Stephen Hockman, a former chairman of the Bar Council, agreed, reported the Telegraph.
"It is vital and inevitable that Shari`ah will become part of British law in some shape or form," he said.
"Given the world situation and our own substantial Muslim population it is vital that we now look at ways to integrate Muslim culture into our own traditions.
Hockman said parliament, lawyers and religious leaders should come together to look into how to include some Shari`ah principles into the legal system.
"Otherwise we will find that there is a significant section of our society which is increasingly alienated, with very dangerous results."
Source: IOL
Lord Chief Justice Nicholas Phillips said Thursday that Islamic Shari`ah could play a role in the British legal system.
"There is no reason why principles of Shari`ah law, or any other religious code, should not be the basis for mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution," he said.
Shari`ah Courts in UK: A Muslim Judge's Experience
The MCB said Britain should start a thoughtful discourse on the inclusion of certain elements of Shari`ah in the British legal system.
"The MCB reaffirms its commitment to the principle of equality before the law and welcomes Lord Phillips' call for Muslims to be allowed to apply elements of Islamic law to the governance of personal relationships where this does not conflict with the laws of the land.
"The MCB also strongly supports the appeal of the Lord Chief Justice for suitably qualified Muslims to join the judiciary."
Britain is home to nearly 2 million Muslims.
British Muslims said the top judge's call for Shari`ah inclusion will help clear misconceptions about Shari`ah and promote diversity in Britain.
"Lord Phillips shows the importance of tackling ignorance on important issues, he stands taller today in the Muslim community," Mohammed Shafiq, Director of the Ramadhan Foundation, said.
"I am grateful that the Lord Chief Justice has made this important intervention into tackling some of the misconceptions of Shari`ah law."
The Lord Chief Justice said that the Islamic Shari`ah has been widely misunderstood, defending a call by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to recognize some parts aspects of Shari`ah to resolve Muslim civil matters.
"When the Archbishop of Canterbury raised this issue there were fascist headlines in some newspapers and unnecessary hatred directed towards Muslims, we should debate these issues but they must be in a respectful manner that is tolerant of other views," said Shafiq.
Williams' call for recognizing some aspects of Shari`ah ignited an extraordinary political and religious storm in Britain, with politicians united in denouncing the proposal.
"There is clearly an appetite in this country for some elements of Shari`ah law to be implemented in relation to finance and family matters," said Shafiq.
Stephen Hockman, a former chairman of the Bar Council, agreed, reported the Telegraph.
"It is vital and inevitable that Shari`ah will become part of British law in some shape or form," he said.
"Given the world situation and our own substantial Muslim population it is vital that we now look at ways to integrate Muslim culture into our own traditions.
Hockman said parliament, lawyers and religious leaders should come together to look into how to include some Shari`ah principles into the legal system.
"Otherwise we will find that there is a significant section of our society which is increasingly alienated, with very dangerous results."
Source: IOL
