Re: Terrible news from NWFP...
Even if there were Islamic laws, the people would still steal, rape, be pedophiles. One of my friends was in High school when he went to Hajj. He told me that there were people stealing money there. He even got hit on by one of the shop keepers! Point is, Islamic Laws are fine, but just because they are Islamic doesnt make the society change.
Any law is good if, its a good law, be it Islamic or otherwise. A law is judged not by where it comes from, but by its practicality. This law is not practical, you can reinterpret it so that it is, but if the law is impractical even if its Islamic then its not a good law. And if it violates our rights, then is that Islamic aswell?>
This law is not Islamic because it can easily abused by corrupt officials. This is not needed because most of what they intend to do, like make sure people pray and stuff are things people are doing already. They are simply trying to make an oppresive law, and putting the word Islam next to it so that people are fooled into thinking its a good thing.
As for Zakat, most people dont pay their taxes let alone zakat. The govt of Pakistan doesnt need this law to puish people who dont pay their taxes or give Zakat, its something they should be doing regardless.