UK Rejects Recognition Of Sharia Muslim Marriages into British Civil Law
Muslim couples should be compelled to register their Islamic marriage
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The UK home office has rejected called to accept Muslim couples to register their Sharia marriages under UK civil law following the recommendations of a review of Prime Minister Thersa May.
Announcing its findings yesterday: the report advised that Muslim couples should be compelled to register their Islamic marriage in a civil ceremony or face fines from the UK government.
Women’s groups accused Sharia councils of discriminating against women alleging some councils pressure women to stay in abusive and violent marriages.
RT reports: The report, handed down by Professor Mona Siddiqui on Thursday, warned that banning the religious bodies, like Sharia councils, could force them “underground.”
The report’s key recommendation is that Muslim couples should be legally required to register their marriages civilly before or at the same time as their Islamic ceremony.
The report, handed down to Parliament on Thursday, says “It is clear from all the evidence that Sharia councils are fulfilling a need in some Muslim communities. There is a demand for a religious divorce and this is currently being answered by the Sharia councils.”
The report also said “cultural change is required within Muslim communities so that communities acknowledge women’s rights in civil law, especially in areas of marriage and divorce.”
Requiring Muslim couples to enter into a civil partnership in the eyes of the UK legal system would ensure “a greater number of women will have the full protection afforded to them in family law and the right to a civil divorce, lessening the need to attend and simplifying the decision process of Sharia councils”.
However, the Home Office declined the report’s recommendations to regulate Sharia councils amid concerns that acknowledging them would be akin to endorsing the Muslim councils, which have no jurisdiction in the United Kingdom.
“We will not be taking forward the review’s recommendation to regulate sharia councils,” a statement from the Home Office 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.
“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 Home Office said it would carefully consider the review’s other findings and recommendations.
