Shari'a Law in the UK - Government's Response

[Freomæg]

Shari’a law is the code of personal religious law governing the conduct of Muslims. It can extend into all aspects of people’s lives – personal, religious, family, civil and criminal.

Shari’a law is not part of the law of England and Wales. The Government does not intend to change this position in relation to the whole or part of the United Kingdom. However, provided an activity prescribed by Shari’a law does not contravene the law of England and Wales, there is nothing to prohibit it. Muslims can, for example, wear traditional dress and follow dietary rules. They are completely free to worship in the way that they want.

There can never be reliance on the fact that an act is permitted under Shari’a law as a justification for committing what is, under the law of England and Wales, a criminal act. Nor, for example, could someone expect a civil court, in reaching a decision on a contractual case under English or Scottish law, to apply the principles of Shari’a law.

Criminal matters, both small and serious, will always be heard in a Crown or Magistrate’s Court in England and Wales, and in Sheriff’s Courts in Scotland. The decisions made in an alternative court will not be recognised.

This is how the Government responded to a recent petition (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/sharialawuk/) I signed. What do you think? Is it satisfactory?

[Oresai]

Hmmm...not sure...I`m certain there will be numerous legal loopholes muslims will find and use to their advantage, somehow....

[MarcvSS]

They reacted the same way Dutch and Belgium governments reacted when the AEL (Arabic European league) tried to enforce Sharia-laws over here...

At this point we have Muslims with a double passport sitting in our governments and are appointed mayors...

Even the Amsterdam police is instructed to study the koran, so they can understand the ways of Islam better.

It's time for some serious deportation, it seems to me...

[Aemma]

Kudos Cythraul for having gotten so many signatories though. :)

But sharia law...goodness what a slippery slope permitting it partially in this way. Secular governments have to maintain the integrity of their secular states. Elements of theocratic philosophies and thought have no business creeping up in secular societies and that's all that this is in the end 'theocracy creep'. Give an inch, take a mile...this is human nature. I see absolutely nothing good coming from this type of partial permission.

Cheers!...Aemma

[Oresai]

Gave thanks to the two previous posters as I`ve outdone my rep point permissions today. :D
But I agree with the above viewpoints. To be honest I smell appeasement and plain old fear of reprisal should the islamic demands for yet further `rights` not be met. As if the rights naturally attained under British law, like the rest of us have, aren`t enough.....

[Freomæg]

Kudos Cythraul for having gotten so many signatories though. :)
I'm afraid I didn't create the petition, only signed it ;). Everyone who signed it will have received an email linking to a response.

What I find unnacceptable is that the initial protest was worded as such:

The most senior judge in England and Wales has said that aspects of Islamic sharia law could be used in the UK, provided they don't conflict with existing laws. I say that Islamic sharia law should not be used in the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister should do everything within his power to stop it being introduced.
ie the author acknowledged from the start that Shari'a law wouldn't be conflicting with common British law but wanted to ensure that despite this, Shari'a law still shouldn't have a place in Britain. The Government's response essentially just stated that Shari'a law "is OK because it won't conflict with British law". WE ALREADY KNEW THAT! IT WAS A GIVEN! So the Government have offered nothing to the petition-signers, and in fact have not even given an appropriate response. We don't care whether Shari'a law clashes with our law or not, we don't want it here because of what it represents - that Britain can be a homeland and haven for Islam.