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BRITISH MUSLIMS FOR SECULAR DEMOCRACY (BMSD)
Press Release - 4th JULY 2008
British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) has deep reservations about the comments made by Lord Philips advocating for the incorporation of Sharia law alongside Civil law in Britain. His legal position and arguments of equality notwithstanding, a move in this direction would be detrimental to Muslims and to society as a whole.
Lord Philips’ has a particular view of Islamic law and appears not to understand that there are major differences over the interpretation and implementation of Sharia amongst the various schools of thought the Muslim world. Moreover, British Muslims are not homogenous but diverse with groups and individuals holding distinct views on religious practice, cultural and social customs based on their geographical and ethnic backgrounds and their evolving European identities. Therefore there is no single set of Islamic laws that can be applied to every Muslim, in order to govern their financial and civil matters. Such an inclusion will also fail to accommodate the minority sects within British Muslim communities such as Shias and Ismailis who are often deemed as non-Muslims by the hard-line Sunni Islamic organisations operating within Britain.
BMSD believes that the concept of parallel justice systems, is, in effect, a denial of inclusion and shared citizenship. The western legal systems grant men and women equal rights under a single set of rules.
Whereas some Islamic jurisprudence experts promote Sharia rules that contravene the Human Rights Act and civil liberties guaranteed under the English laws, such as freedom of expression, rights of women in cases of divorce, inheritance and testimony in court.
Dr Shaaz Mahboob of BMSD said, "Lord Philips makes generalised assumptions about the perceived will of British Muslims. Incorporation of aspects of Sharia law within the English legal system will further segregate Muslim communities from the mainstream. As result ordinary Muslims who are content living under the umbrella of the British justice system, are likely to come under unnecessary pressure from self-appointed religious representatives such as those from the Sharia Council, Muslim Council of Britain and Mosque Imams, to seek alternative avenues such as the Shaira courts to settle their disputes. This will only alienate communities and individuals from each other and create barriers which harm the social fabric of the society."
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Notes to the editors:
1. BMSD is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.
2. BMSD’s mission statement:
"To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain."
3. BMSD claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. BMSD founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.
4. For details please visit -http://www.bmsd.org.uk
5. For any further queries, please contact:
Dr Shaaz Mahboob on shaaz@bmsd.org.uk or 07961365751
Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui on drsiddiqui@talk21.com or 07860259289
Regards, Shaaz
Shaaz Mahboob (Dr)
Vice Chair, bmsd
m: +44(0)7884 473 491
e: shaaz@bmsd.org.uk
url: http://www.bmsd.org.uk
British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd)
bmsd is a registered charity 1122730.
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