Britain’s Sharia Courts and the Challenge of Religious Freedom

[Social Media]

 

The UK, known for its deep-rooted traditions of religious tolerance, now finds itself navigating complex questions raised by the presence of sharia courts within its borders. These courts, operating under Islamic law, are flourishing, with an estimated 85 in operation throughout the country. This phenomenon raises significant concerns about integration and adherence to national legal frameworks, especially when practices illegal under UK law, such as polygamous marriages, are increasingly normalized.

 

Sharia courts, also referred to as councils, have existed in the UK since the early 1980s. They primarily deal with family and matrimonial matters, often attracting British Muslims as well as individuals from Europe and North America. The Islamic Sharia Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, established in 1982 and based in Leyton, East London, is a prominent example. Registered as a charity, it oversees marriage (nikah) and divorce (talaq for men and khula for women) services.

 

However, some of the practices associated with these courts challenge the legal and cultural frameworks of the UK. Polygamy, for instance, remains illegal under British law, yet it is so widely accepted in certain Muslim communities that it has been integrated into modern technology. A UK-based app for creating Islamic wills, reportedly approved by a sharia court, allows men to select the number of wives they have, ranging from one to four. In line with traditional Islamic inheritance laws, the app also allocates daughters half the inheritance amount of sons.

 

Moreover, popular matrimonial platforms like Muzz (formerly Muzmatch) permit male users to declare their "polygamy plan," whether they intend to remain monogamous or seek additional wives. Such practices highlight the tension between religious customs and the UK's legal framework, which prohibits polygamous unions on British soil. In such cases, individuals entering into multiple marriages may be committing the crime of bigamy.

 

These developments reveal a troubling reality: existing UK laws and regulations are not being consistently enforced, particularly in segregated Muslim communities where orthodox Islamic doctrines dominate. As a result, practices that undermine gender equality and contravene national laws are allowed to persist, unchecked.

 

This situation underscores the urgent need for a robust strategy that balances the protection of religious freedom with the enforcement of UK law. Britain’s proud tradition of welcoming diverse cultural and religious practices must not come at the expense of equality, integration, and adherence to the rule of law. Strengthening the implementation of existing legal frameworks is essential to addressing these challenges while ensuring that all citizens are afforded equal rights and protections.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-24

 

“Our Democracy Is Being Attacked” | Britain’s Muslim Sharia Courts Surge

 

 

 

[jippytum]

The muslim population in the UK has been allowed  intergrate their religious beliefs and customs into areas now solely dominated by Muslims. 

The muslim dominant areas are increasing in the British landscape and is fueled by illegal immigration of predominantly young males of muslim faith. 

[wavodavo]

That's what happens when you have open borders and have no control over who comes in. You have just look at the mess the U.S. is in with illegal aliens. Lucky they have got Trump to sort them out now .There is nothing wrong with immigrants coming in but they have to come in through the front door and be assessed first and the numbers regulated.

[koolkarl]

Eventually Britain will be ruled by a muslim political party and solely under sharia law.  All planned well in advance.

[blaze master]

What a joke of a country now. 

[JonnyF]

Good to see the 2 tier system is official. 

 

Should stop some of the gaslighters denying it.  

[spidermike007]

Not only should Sharia courts not be allowed to exist within the UK, but all people practicing Sharia should be denied the right to emmigrate. It should be a prerequisite that in order to apply for immigration to any European nation you must prove that you do not subscribe to Sharia law and that you do not practice backward and horrific forms of Islam like Wahhabism. All Saudis should be banned worldwide from immigration to any nation, as there is no upside and no benefit whatsoever to the nation where they are emigrating to, and it would appear that they're the ones that who are least likely to have any interest in assimilation. 

[blaze master]

9 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Not only should Sharia courts not be allowed to exist within the UK, but all people practicing Sharia should be denied the right to emmigrate. It should be a prerequisite that in order to apply for immigration to any European nation you must prove that you do not subscribe to Sharia law and that you do not practice backward and horrific forms of Islam like Wahhabism. All Saudis should be banned worldwide from immigration to any nation, as there is no upside and no benefit whatsoever to the nation where they are emigrating to, and it would appear that they're the ones that who are least likely to have any interest in assimilation. 

 

Also giving out criminal charges to those running these kangaroo courts

 

[zmisha]

As you know, the most popular baby name in London is Mohammed. So it becomes obvious to everyone who is giving birth to children in London. And these are not white Christian women who are independent and self-sufficient thanks to the courts that protect their rights. An independent and self-sufficient woman does not need more than 1 child - she produces it and sends her husband far away. While Sharia courts do not protect women to that degree. So muslim women need men to be safe - and they want to save their families. Then strong families continue produce more and more Muhammads. That is your future - Sharia laws will become de facto laws everywhere.
So, the Supreme God`s Court has signed the verdict on the civil courts of London and ordered that they be replaced by Sharia courts.

[soalbundy]

Beware the beginnings.

[damian]

1 hour ago, koolkarl said:

Eventually Britain will be ruled by a muslim political party and solely under sharia law.  All planned well in advance.

It's real and it's disturbing. 

[Thingamabob]

Betrayed by both the Labour and the Tory party, Britain is now becoming unstoppably Islamised. 

[Purdey]

The Daily Telegraph stirring up anti Muslim rhetoric again. British law still means you can't go too far with sharia law where they contradict reach other. 

Wait until the police find a few chopped off hands. 

[The Cyclist]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

This situation underscores the urgent need for a robust strategy that balances the protection of religious freedom with the enforcement of UK law.

 

Too late for that, there is not a snowballs chance in hell of that particular genie being put back in the bottle.

 

The so called powers that be, cannot even see the danger of an average of 1000 fighting aged males flocking across the Channel on a weekly basis.

 

Or perhaps the can, and are wilfully complicit in the downfall of the UK.

[Hamus Yaigh]

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

What a joke of a country now. 

Sharia law for civil matters has been used in many Muslim communities around the world such as the US and European countries for a long time.

[jimmybcool]

I don't have a problem if they operate a Sharia court system UNTIL it crosses the national legal system.  If they want to enforce fasting during their religious days or the like fine no conflict.  But once they decide their laws are higher than national laws you have a problem.

 

No idea how Britain will solve their issues.  They have allowed far too many immigrants.  No hate for immigrants but they need to assimilate and until they do the door is closed.  Not what is happening in Britain these day.

[blaze master]

1 minute ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Sharia law for civil matters has been used in many Muslim communities around the world such as the US and European countries for a long time.

 

Ok and ? What's your point. Sharia law courts are a joke on our society and culture

 

[jippytum]

all people regardless of religion should be subject to British laws. while residing in the UK. 

For muslims to have their own courts to administer  Sharie laws outside the British judicial system to appease the  woke pro immigration lobby is a disgrace. 

[Bkk Brian]

12 minutes ago, Purdey said:

The Daily Telegraph stirring up anti Muslim rhetoric again. British law still means you can't go too far with sharia law where they contradict reach other. 

Wait until the police find a few chopped off hands. 

Another one blaming the messenger instead of the facts.

 

If you are so adamant its stirring up trouble then perhaps blame the Leftie Guardian over 7 years ago.

 

This article is more than 7 years old
Inside Britain’s sharia councils: hardline and anti-women – or a dignified way to divorce?

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/mar/01/inside-britains-sharia-councils-hardline-and-anti-women-or-a-dignified-way-to-divorce

[jippytum]

14 minutes ago, Purdey said:

The Daily Telegraph stirring up anti Muslim rhetoric again. British law still means you can't go too far with sharia law where they contradict reach other. 

Wait until the police find a few chopped off hands. 

The fact Muslims have there own system of justice  in the UK means they have gone too far already. 

[norfolkandchance]

9 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Another one blaming the messenger instead of the facts.

 

If you are so adamant its stirring up trouble then perhaps blame the Leftie Guardian over 7 years ago.

 

This article is more than 7 years old
Inside Britain’s sharia councils: hardline and anti-women – or a dignified way to divorce?

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/mar/01/inside-britains-sharia-councils-hardline-and-anti-women-or-a-dignified-way-to-divorce

The usual suspect will be along shortly.

[mdr224]

Theres british posters on this forum that wanted the US to become this, also they want thailand to become like this. You know the posters im talking about, theres quite a few of them here

[Hamus Yaigh]

24 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Ok and ? What's your point. Sharia law courts are a joke on our society and culture

The fear of Sharia law taking over can be exaggerated or misinformed. It's important to separate the reality of Sharia law in these countries like the UK and many other western nations from the often-misleading narratives that are promoted by some political activists.

 

In reality, Sharia law in these countries is generally limited to voluntary use in civil matters, like family disputes and inheritance. These informal Sharia courts or councils have no legal authority in the broader legal system and are not recognized as part of the official legal framework.

[blaze master]

Just now, Hamus Yaigh said:

The fear of Sharia law taking over can be exaggerated or misinformed. It's important to separate the reality of Sharia law in these countries like the UK and many other western nations from the often-misleading narratives that are promoted by some political activists.

 

In reality, Sharia law in these countries is generally limited to voluntary use in civil matters, like family disputes and inheritance. These informal Sharia courts or councils have no legal authority in the broader legal system and are not recognized as part of the official legal framework.

 

I love your propaganda. Great work but you're not fooling anyone. 

[RichardColeman]

Should be banned from the UK completely - unless they enforce the real muslim punishment for theft and rape

[Rampant Rabbit]

and how  many husbands can the wives have..........yeah though so, those  fools  wearing their burkhas........from choice hahahahaha

[Chomper Higgot]

Any ruling by any ‘Sharia Court’ in the UK, just like any ruling by any other ‘Religious Court’ is subject to and may not infringe UK law OR just as importantly the European Convention on Human Rights.

 

Which raises an interesting question.

 

Why is it that those who are convinced that Sharia law is coming to get them and their rights are the same people, and newspapers, who vehemently oppose human rights laws and the ECHR, both of watch are a protection against tyrannical governments and abusive laws, regardless of those being religious or secular?