Theresa May is measuring her words carefully as she suddenly becomes the leader of the U.K. Some believe she isn’t going far enough to oppose the more than 100 Sharia courts that exist already throughout the United Kingdom, according to the Daily Express . While that number is hardly precise, there is no question there are many such courts. Still, May suggests that she is going further than her predecessors , according to ITV News .
“For too long politicians in this country refuse to look at the issue of Sharia law and just allow this to continue without any question.”
Sharia law is becoming a major issue in the minds of some British voters. Prime Minister Theresa May shares their concerns, but will gather more facts before taking action, according to ITV. Until then May has issued a statement.
“I’ve been the politician who’s been willing to say no, I’m concerned that Sharia law is operating in a way that could discriminate against women and that could be counter to what is our single rule of law that we have in the UK.”
Theresa May is setting up a task force to investigate the courts. The investigation may be long and thorough, but as prime minister, Theresa is not interested in a fast answer — she wants all the facts before making a decision.
“So there is one rule of law in the UK – that’s why I’ve set up the review that I have, chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui, and that will be looking at the operation of Sharia law and whether it is actually operating to discriminate against women and counter to our overall rule of law.”
Sharia law courts can be used to arbitrate any kind of civil dispute if both parties agree to it. In the same way that any independent arbitrator can work to settle cases outside of the court system. The Sharia courts often preside over religious disagreements and marriage disputes, as well as business conflicts among Muslims in the U.K. If both parties agree to be bound by the decision, according to Stoke Sentinel , then the decisions are legally binding as long as their rulings do not directly conflict with civil law. Governmental laws can override a decision made in those courts.
Theresa May intends to ensure, though, that the rights of individuals within the U.K. are not infringed by Sharia. She will be able to determine more once the findings of her review board investigate the matter.
Is Sharia law a threat to the rights of women? Civitas, an independent community of researchers devoted to democracy and personal freedom, says that it does infringe on the rights of women who agree to abide by their rulings, and these courts are openly discriminatory to women, according to Stoke Sentinel .
Civitas claims Sharia courts deny women property rights in divorce cases and demand a wife not withhold conjugal rights to her husband. Additionally, she may not leave the house without her husband’s permission. Women are also restricted from driving cars. Meanwhile, polygamous marriage is allowed and homosexuality is forbidden, reports the Stoke Sentinel .
Theresa May will be fielding a variety of complaints on various Sharia and immigration issues. Among many other concerns, British citizens are said to be complaining about posters they have recently seen in pubic spaces that claim certain areas as Sharia enforcement zones. In these zones, the posters say things like no music or concerts, no porn or prostitution, no gambling, no smoking, no drugs, and no alcohol, according to the Stoke Sentinel . Some deny such areas even exist, and they are not commonplace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ePY25UPJWs
Theresa May plans to investigate the scope and impact of Sharia law in the U.K. very carefully.
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