01 November 2016

Muslim women complain about Sharia inquiries

But some women have signed an open letter and said the aim was to ban Sharia councils, not reform them.

The Muslim Women's Network UK said the inquiries risked treating women like "political footballs".

.... The first evidence session on Sharia councils is due to be held by the Home Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

But Shaista Gohir, the chair of Muslim Women's Network UK, said the inquiries could patronise women.

"Everyone wants to listen to Muslim women when highlighting their terrible experiences.

"However when it comes to the solutions, everyone thinks they know what is best for them," she said.

"I do feel that there are people who are anti-faith, particularly anti-Islam, who are using women's rights as a guise, wanting to abolish Sharia councils.

"If tomorrow or next year you shut down Sharia councils, what would result is Muslim women stuck in marriages, abusive marriages sometimes, and the Sharia divorce service would actually go underground.

"That would result in less transparency, higher prices and more discrimination," Ms Gohir added. [BBC] Read more