“Muslim leaders’ divorce proposal,” from the Australian Daily Telegraph, with thanks to all who sent this in:
MUSLIM leaders want to set up a separate Islamic court in
Australia to deal specifically with Islamic divorces.The radical idea was raised by Muslim leaders in a meeting with Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Peter McGauran last week.
But Mr McGauran and Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock yesterday rejected the idea.
“The law in this country is secular. There’s a clear separation between religion and the law and Australia’s laws apply equally to all citizens, regardless of their religion,” Mr McGauran said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Ruddock added: “It would not be appropriate for the Government to establish a separate religious court.”
But the Government said it was sensitive to problems experienced by Muslims, particularly those with dual citizenship who seek a divorce.
Muslim Women’s National Network spokeswoman Jamila Hussain said a divorce was only recognised under Islamic law when the husband says “I divorce you”.
A Muslim woman may obtain a civil divorce under Australian law but she cannot remarry if her husband refuses to grant her a religious
divorce.
Why not, pray tell? If a woman is granted a divorce under Australian law, why can’t she remarry under Australian law?
In Muslim countries, a disputed break-up is settled by a special sharia court.
But these don’t exist in Australia and citizens who want to remarry must travel overseas to get a judgment.
Again, this seems like a spurious argument.
The major problem is some Muslim countries don’t recognise
Australia’s civil divorces.
What difference does that make? Why should an Australian citizen care
whether or not some Muslim government recognises their laws? This is plainly a smokescreen.
Mr McGauran suggests the Government should ask foreign governments such as Lebanon to recognise Australian Family Court divorces.
Spokesman for Australia’s Lebanese community, Keysar Trad, said this was an acceptable solution.
Why on earth should Australia ask Lebanon to recognise their divorces? What business is it of the Lebanese?
“We’re looking for a solution to make life easier for Australian citizens,” he said….
Yeah, sure you are, Keysar.