Rudd rejects sharia court review over UK laws fear

HOME Secretary Amber Rudd has rejected calls to legitimise sharia “courts” in Britain.

An independent review by a panel of distinguished academics, theologians and lawyers had urged Ms Rudd to set up an official body to kickstart self-regulation by the Islamic religious councils.

But the Home Office feared such a move might undermine British law. A spokesman said: “Sharia law has no jurisdiction in the UK and we would not facilitate or endorse regulation, which could present councils as an alternative to UK laws.”

Freedom

“In Britain, we have a long tradition of freedom of worship and religious tolerance, where many people of different faiths follow religious codes and practices and benefit from their guidance. The Government has no intention of changing this position.”

The review panel, chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui, was set up by Theresa May when she was still Home Secretary in May 2016 to look into the work of sharia councils. It dismissed a ban as “not a viable option” as they would simply go underground.

But the panel recommended steps should be taken to reduce their influence and educate Muslim women about their rights under British law. Almost all the work done by sharia councils concerns divorce, it said.

There is no clear idea of what a council is or how many members it should have – and not even an agreement on how many councils there are in England and Wales. Estimates vary from 30 to 85, with none in Scotland.

The review said the councils are not “courts” and council members are not “judges”.

“Sharia councils have no legal status and no legal binding authority under civil law.

“Whilst sharia is a source of guidance for many Muslims, sharia councils have no legal jurisdiction in England and Wales,” the panel’s report said.

Many Muslim couples do not register their marriages so women have to get a religious divorce from a sharia council.

The review found “evidence of good practice but also clear evidence of bad practice”.

And “there is unanimous agreement among the sharia councils themselves that discriminatory practices do occur in some instances.”

The review recommended changes in the law to ensure civil marriages are conducted before or at the same time as Islamic weddings. This will bring them “in line with Christian and Jewish marriage in the eyes of the law.”

Celebrants would commit an offence if they fail to make sure marriages are properly registered. The panel also recommended awareness campaigns so Muslim women and girls know their legal rights.

The Home Office spokesman said: “Having rejected the idea of an official body, the panel’s other two recommendations will be carefully considered.”