I think UK is going down the slippery sloper here. If they’re going to provide Sharia Courts to Muslims than what about other minorities? In secular democratic countries their is no room for such courts.
Five Shariat courts set up in UK
Updated at: 1610 PST, Monday, September 15, 2008
London: Five Shariat courts in Britain now have official powers to rule on Muslim civil cases, according to a report.
The rulings made by the five courts in London, Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester and Nuneaton in Warwickshire are enforceable with the full power of the judicial system, through the county courts or high court, according to a British daily.
The issues that the “official” Shariat courts can rule on range from financial rows to divorce and domestic violence. Two more Shariat courts will be started in Edin burgh and Glasgow son, the report said.
Till now, the rulings of Shariat courts in Britain could not be enforced and depended on voluntary compliance among Muslims.
The Shariat courts are run by Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, which was set up in 2007 to provide a viable alternative for the Muslim community seeking to resolve disputes in accordance with Islamic law
Secularism means the absence of religion from the decision making process in government. It doesn't mean the absence of it from day to day life. Secondly in a democracy the will of the people is paramount. This seems to be the will of the people or why would they implement it?
In secular democratic countries their is no room for such courts.
The UK is not secular. The country has an established legally laid down national religion (the Anglican Church). The head of the state and the head of this church are the same person. Indeed, the head of state bears the title "Fedei Defensor", meaning Defender of the Faith (referring to the Anglican Church).
The UK has constantly accomodated religious practices in state business. From sikh turbans and hijabs being part of police & military uniforms through to state funding for Christian, Jewish, Muslim and now Hindu schools, the UK has constantly rejected secularism in favour of accomodation for all faiths.