.... Some might ask why sharia is being debated at all: we already have a long-established national legal system in Britain – why bring sharia into it? But it's not quite so simple, as the government's document explains:
"Many people in this country of different faiths follow religious codes and practices, and benefit from the guidance they offer. Religious communities also operate arbitration councils and boards to resolve disputes."
.... Most of these bodies recognise that they have a limited sphere of operation and don't seek to go beyond it by claiming powers of legal jurdisdiction. Professional bodies, for example, may discipline members for professional misconduct but if a member commits a crime it becomes a matter for the police and the courts. This is not necessarily the case with some of the sharia bodies established in Britain.
According to the Lawyers Secular Society, there is evidence (page 10) of Muslim arbitration tribunals "purporting to conduct binding arbitrations on family law issues" and making decisions in areas like inheritance that are "inconsistent with UK law or public policy". In addition, sharia councils have often been found describing themselves as courts and referring to the presiding imams as judges. [al-bab.com] Read more
