Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by funk Q on March 7, 2010 at 9:29pm

I wonder how the muslims who fled here from countries which employ sharia feel? Is there a word for reverse boat people?

Also, the comment "so that Muslims can live according their faith" is complete bullshit since all laws exist to punish those who don't "live according to their faith" or whatever system is dominant. There is absolutley no law which rewards people for obeying the law.

Permalink Reply by Rosemary LYNDALL WEMM on March 8, 2010 at 1:22am

Australia should note what has happened in the UK in relation to this. The people affected by that law are usually helpless victims (women and children) who do not wish to be subject to such laws but have no voting power. Australia should veto the practice of such laws, and of any laws, which oppress its citizens. In other words, no citizen should be free to practice elements of his or her religion if they exploit or victimize people. This includes people who have been brain-washed to accept such oppression as "normal" or the rightful will of someone in authority over them.

In other words, this should be viewed as the human rights issue which it surely is.

Permalink Reply by Luke on March 8, 2010 at 5:44am

Can I ask how this is different to the Maori Laws in NZ? I'm really curious, Aaron, not just being snarky. I know nothing about the topic.

Permalink Reply by Фелч Гроган on March 8, 2010 at 5:46am

Maoris drink beer and don't blow themselves up.

Permalink Reply by Luke on March 8, 2010 at 6:11am

Agreed.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not comparing Sharia law with Maori law. I would prefer the latter any day. I would support more legal autonomy for Australian Aboriginals if they want to live more traditional lives. I was reluctant to ask the question I just wanted a bit of first hand comment on Maori law.

Permalink Reply by Luke on March 8, 2010 at 5:38am

The answer has to be "No".

Secular democracy must be allowed to penetrate religious and family groups. The strands of Islam that want this will not permit equality between the sexes. I hope that the Australian Government is brave enough to protect the human rights of women and children, they have the most to lose under this proposal. Just conceiving a child does not make the child the property of the father and the religious leaders. If a child says "No" to some oppressive rule, society has to protect that child. Same for women. Marriage does not make her the property of the husband. I don't care if it says that in your Koran. Self evident human rights cannot be waived to suit faith. Issues of equality and human rights trump your holy books every time. If I am wrong, when you get to your heaven just blame me. I am very happy to take the risk of being wrong.

Sharia law, unworkable and inequitable, is what has made their countries of origin the global powerhouses that they are today. Those are the Sharia nirvanas they propose... So, go to them. It's all been done for you. It's all totally ready. Off you go then. Have a nice life. Need a lift to the airport?

Permalink Reply by Limber Lightfoot on March 8, 2010 at 6:02am

I'd like to think it wouldn't happen. The article continues...

'I wasn't talking about sharia law in its entirety - we are not calling for the introduction of the penal system which calls for cutting off hands,'' he said.

Dr Matthews said a clash occurred in some custody matters. ''Under sharia law, if a couple divorce and the mother remarries, her former husband has the right to decide whether the children will live with the new husband or not,'' Dr Matthews said.

''There is still a preference for the child to go with the mother, but the father has the ultimate decision.

So, in practical terms...if an Islamic woman is divorced and remarries she risks losing custody of her child at the whim of her ex-husband? That sounds like a powerful way to ensure that such women never remarry. I wouldn't take that risk myself. I would be very depressed to see anything like that being introduced as "ok" here.

Why do people come here if they aren't prepared to adapt to our laws and culture? If they want things just like home they need to stay home.

Permalink Reply by SecretWombat on March 8, 2010 at 11:49pm

Joumanah El Matrah, the director of the Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria, wrote an excellent article in The Age addressing this issue last year. (LINK)

It is a very well written piece and I highly recommend reading it. To sum it up very briefly, it was in response to one individual in Victoria saying he wanted sharia law introduced in family law (LINK). The Islamic Council of Victoria stated they were not interested in introducing sharia law. The Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria opposes the introduction of sharia law to family court proceedings. The use of sharia law in the family courts has been shown to be unfair in Britain with women feeling pressured into using the Sharia court for fear of being ostracised from their community. El Matrah also points out that a separate court system violates Islamic doctrine that states 'muslims must abide by the political and legal system of their state'.

Granted, this article is talking about Victorian organisations, not NSW ones. But chances are a few NSW Islamic groups will have a few things to say about this in days to come. It's not just us atheists who think this is a bad idea!