PrintFebruary 16, 2008
Does Shariah Promote Human Rights?
The Archbishop of Canterbury says that implementing or permitting some parts of Shariah (Islamic law) is unavoidable. Is this wise? It may be true that some parts of Islamic law are only about halal (permitted) foods, but other parts - not so. The Archbishop says he would not recommend incorporating Islamic punishments (hudud) in English law or permitting them in informal but binding Islamic courts in the UK. But are these fine line distinctions possible in Islam? Is all of Shariah eventually destined, as many millions of Muslims believe, to cover all parts of society, gradually, over the years - around the globe? Is it possible to take multiculturalism and cultural senstivity, though positive in many ways, too far? If the UK adopts or adapts any part of Islamic law or permits informal but binding Islamic courts to function under the UK's larger legal system, then the wise British people still need to ask these questions: Does Islamic law embody justice, beyond halal concerns? Does...(Read Full Article)
