Sharia courts are in line with British values, says Justice Minister

The UK has become the "western capital" of sharia courts. Photo: economist

Sarah Sackman, a Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Justice in the United Kingdom, stated that the recognition of sharia courts in the country is part of religious tolerance, which she called an important British value. She made this statement in response to a topical question in the House of Commons this week from Reform MP Sarah Pochin, reports Christian Concern.

In her speech, Pochin called for the closure of all Islamic sharia courts in the United Kingdom, emphasizing that "there is no place for sharia in the UK".

The MP addressed the new Minister of Justice with a question about whether she recognizes sharia laws and sharia courts in the United Kingdom.

To which Sackman replied: "Sharia law forms no part of the law of England and Wales, but where people choose to put themselves before those councils—in common with Christian, Jewish and other courts of faith—that is part of religious tolerance which is an important British value."

This appears to be the first time that the government has claimed that sharia courts are compatible with British values. It is an astonishing and outrageous claim, says Christian Concern. It was noted that Sharia laws discriminate against both women and non-Muslims, allow polygamy, and is fundamentally incompatible with English law and British values.

The discussion about the status of sharia courts intensified after an announcement for a "Sharia Law Administrator" vacancy appeared on the official government website last month. Applicants were required to have a “Diploma/Degree in Sharia Law” and “Previous working experience in Sharia Law related fields and/or Sharia Courts in Muslim countries.” After a wave of public outrage, the announcement was removed, but its archive is still available.

Critics claim that unlike church courts, which apply existing legislation to church life issues, sharia councils actually form a parallel legal system.

It is estimated that there are about 85 sharia courts operating in the UK, though their exact number is unknown. The UK is now described as the ‘western capital’ for sharia courts as Muslims increasingly turn to them to resolve disputes. Experts warn that the lack of mandatory registration of Islamic marriages leaves thousands of Muslim women without legal protection and forces them to turn to sharia courts.

As reported by the UOJ, a mass rally against the Islamization of Britain took place in London.

Read also