London: Britain is becoming a key hub for sharia courts. There are 85 Islamic councils across the country. These religious bodies wield huge influence and Muslims from Europe and North America seek rulings on marriage and family matters from them. The National Secular Society has raised concerns about the parallel legal system. They argue that it undermines British law. The first sharia council was established in 1982.
The councils have also been promoting controversial practices, such as nikah mut’ah (temporary or “pleasure” marriage) and other ideas considered anti-women. The Islamic Sharia Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, based in Leyton, east London, is a registered charity that offers nikah services, as well as talaq (divorce initiated by the husband) and khula (divorce initiated by the wife), according to a report by The Times
Sharia app sparks concern
There are reports that a new application allows men in England and Wales to choose the number of wives they have, from one to four, after the sharia court has given approval. It has further raised concerns about the legal implications of sharia law running alongside civil law.
These sharia courts consist of male Islamic scholars who serve as informal bodies and they issue religious rulings on divorces and other related to marriage. According to Professor Mona Siddiqui, sharia is based on Islamic jurisprudence dating back to the 7th to 13th centuries. It draws on the opinions of scholars from the time of Prophet Muhammad.
In Britain, around 100,000 Islamic marriages have occurred without being registered with civil authorities. It has created complications for divorce, especially for women seeking religious rulings. While most Muslim countries have modified sharia, Britain still follows classical rulings on marriage and divorce.
‘Sharia councils erode rights’
The National Secular Society’s chief executive Stephen Evans said that these councils undermine the principle of “one law for all” and adversely impact women’s and children’s rights. Many Muslim women rely on these councils for religious divorce, as men can unilaterally divorce their wives. Women have reported being controlled through religious texts, and some have been pressured into temporary marriages.
