Bye, bye UK!
Theresa May/Guardian Photo
From The Express: Theresa May sparked controversy when she spoke out in support of the Islamic courts operating in the country, telling the nation they could “benefit a great deal” from Sharia teachings.
The future Tory leader made the comments as she ordered a review into the system which are accused of ordering women to stay with abusive partners.
Mrs. May, said she is worried the courts are “misused” and “exploited” to discriminate against Muslim women, but defended their place in society.
Sharia is Islam’s legal system derived from both the Koran, Islam’s central text, and fatwas – the rulings of Islamic scholars. There are thought to be around 100 Sharia Law courts operating throughout the UK, dispensing Islamic justice outside the remit of our own legal system.
Judgements handed down by the informal courts have no legal basis, but there are fears their presence means many Muslim women are not getting access to the justice they deserve.
Now, before she takes over Number 10, May has been forced to restate her position on Sharia Law. The Home Secretary, when asked by Buzzfeed’s Emily Ashton about a group which says she supports Sharia in the UK, said she is “concerned” that the ‘law’ is operating in a way that could be counter to “our single rule of law”.
She said: “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.”
“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 councils aim to help resolve family, financial and commercial problems in accordance with Sharia principles. The majority of cases involve women wanting to end their Islamic marriage.
The review, which will last up to 18 months, will investigate whether there are instances where British law is being broken in the name of Sharia.
Top Tory Mrs. May, who wanted Britain to stay in the European Union, insisted the inquiry will not look into the legality of Sharia Law courts in a move designed to reassure Muslims.
h/t Weasel Zippers
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