Only Islamophobes oppose this sort of thing, right? Wrong. As one Muslim woman who opposes the plan said, "It's being advertised as this opt-in system when it actually isn't."
That's true not only on an individual level, but for the broader process of creeping Sharia in the West. "Sharia law tribunal is proposed," from BBC News, December 10 (thanks to Twostellas):
Wales could get its first court based on Islamic law under proposals from a Muslim body, BBC Wales has learned.
A Sharia law tribunal in Cardiff will help community relations and give some Muslims services they want, supporters have told the Dragon's Eye programme.
But some commentators, such the think-tank Civitas, say a Muslim arbitration tribunal undermines the concept of one law for UK citizens.
A women's group said it was not needed and women may not be treated fairly. [...]
A recent report by Civitas was critical of Sharia courts, saying they were not in keeping with UK legal principles.
Denis MacEoin, of Civitas, said: "It is Sharia law that is given the prominent position and this effectively means that British law is shoved to one side.
"All citizens have the right to be judged under a single legal system, and that we didn't bring in the legal system by the back door and that is effectively what is happening at the moment."
Some fear that Muslim women may become isolated from their communities if they do not choose the tribunal system.
Marya Shabir, of the Welsh Women's National Coalition, said: "It's being advertised as this opt-in system when it actually isn't.
"If a Muslim woman is given the option of using a Muslim Arbitration Tribunal over going through the courts system using the law of England and Wales; there's no question as to which system she's going to use.
"If she doesn't go with the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, she is going to face stigmatisation, she will be ostracised by her community, her peers, her family who believe she is turning her back on the community."
And we all know what can happen then.
Cue the the troll argument about the Beth Din courts in the UK in
3...2...1.... (or not)
Ahh,sowing the seeds of hell in the land of Tom Jones. What folly,What idiocy. Another one bites the dust.
Boneshack,
I see the joking aspect of your troll countdown!
Just in the guise of prehemption, I will say: while Islam's main goal is the preclusion of women's rights, Jewish Law practiced by Beit Dins anywhere in the world is the total opposite, as women are sacred for us, and both them and children are protected heavily against men's misdeeds.
Dear friend, I feel comforted by the thought that there is a G-d watching, that He ingrained goodness in man, and that all the good men in the world - Jews and Non-jews alike - shall prevail.
Happy Hanukka for you and all at JW!
"If she doesn't go with the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, she is going to face stigmatisation, she will be ostracised by her community, her peers, her family who believe she is turning her back on the community."
And if she DOES go with the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, her word will be worth exactly half that of a man.
Heads she loses. Tails she loses.
Instead of opposing this sharia law stuff we should embrace it, and demand that the ENTIRE sharia law be imposed for the whole society, then widely advertise the 'just and glorious' aspects of the law.
Where to start? No new churches? Public stoning? (Add your 'favorite' here).
The list is just too long and disgusting, but would make for an eye-opening advertising campaign. Can't wait to see the billboards!
Hopefully the Welsh will have the good sense to soundly thwack this camel's nose before it gets too far into the tent.
Ah yes, the wonders of ZaNuLabour in Wales, I initially thought that Rhodri Morgan (soon to be ex) First Minister was for the people of Wales, not Pakistan (or any other Muslim country) - how can they allow forgin babarity here.
If it was done by the likes of McGordon McBroon, Jacki Smith or Harriet Harpeson then I wouldn't be suprised
"A Sharia law tribunal in Cardiff will help community relations and give some Muslims services they want"
Notice the words at the end "THEY WANT" and in the end, we will end up with Islamic Gettos here in Wales like there is in England.
I jokingly said to some of my friends that Muslims that want to live in England, they have to learn English, but if they want to live in Wales, they will HAVE to learn Welsh as well.
My Mother grew up on the Welsh border, before anyone had contemplated this idiocy. Here's another proud nation taking that first step down the path to tyranny, like their neighbors the Scots.
I suppose the Welsh saw how well the Shari'ah courts were working in England, and felt suitably inspired. sarc/off
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4749183.ece
And yes—this article contains the usual nattering about the Beth Din courts.
And the reason that she wouldn't want to be isolated from such a community is exactly what?
Isn't that the whole point?
I get Mirisol's point that Denis MacEoin is saying in veiled and roundabout terms that women who do not submit to the judgement of the sharia courts are likely to be attacked or murdered.
But aren't the mohammedan women conspiring in their own degradation by not choosing to "isolate" themselves from their alleged community?
If ever there was a community crying out for the Lysistrata treatment certainly it is that of the mohammedans. But the mohammedan women are focused on going-along-to-get-along.
At the very lease, if they do not have confidence in their ability to just say not to sharia, then at the very least one could expect them to franky and openly ask for the shelter and support of outsiders.
I grew up in America on the West Coast during the 70's. I would like to know where the heck are all the feminists? That idiot Iranian President can come here, speak at the U.N., and not one protester outside for women's rights. That whole issue of a woman's testimony "being worth half that of a man's" is about enough to wring my goat. But, nevertheless and the murder of gays notwithstanding, I have to wonder how long it will be until we have Sharia Law "spots" here in the U.S. The only religion here that gets preferential treatment is Islam.
Honey, you decide whether we use Sharia court or pig infidel court.
Ha ha ha.