Friday, November 28, 2008

British barrister calls for incorporation of sharia into British law

"Otherwise we will find that there is a significant section of our society which is increasingly alienated, with very dangerous results." Let's follow the logic here: Hockman must believe there are elements of sharia that are compatible with British law, and either those can be compartmentalized and separated from those that aren't, or there exists a "true" and more moderate sharia where those elements are less of an issue.

However, he does acknowledge that there is at least a Tiny Minority of Extremists that does threaten the United Kingdom. Then, from whom is Britain made safer by implementing a supposedly de-fanged sharia? If it's the "extremists," he is ultimately calling for negotiating with terrorists and giving in to blackmail. If it is the Vast Majority of Moderates whom he's afraid of alienating with "very dangerous results," he is simply underlining how flimsy a construct "moderation" generally is: How "moderate" is someone who can be so easily persuaded to violence, especially when it should be well understood that living in Britain entails living under Britain's laws?

"Sharia law should be introduced into legal system, says leading barrister," by John Swaine for the Telegraph, November 26:

Stephen Hockman QC, a former chairman of the Bar Council, reportedly suggested that a group of MPs and legal figures should be convened to plan how elements of the Muslim religious-legal code could be introduced.

After speaking at an event organised by the website Islam4UK at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall, Mr Hockman reportedly told The Daily Express: “Given our substantial Muslim population, it is vital that we look at ways to integrate Muslim culture into our traditions. Otherwise we will find that there is a significant section of our society which is increasingly alienated, with very dangerous results.

“There should perhaps be a standing committee comprising Parliamentarians, lawyers and religious leaders to consider how this could be achieved and what legal changes might be framed.”

Sharia law has been criticised for its prevention of some rights for women. Mr Hockman reportedly conceded: “The position of women is one area where the emphasis is, to the say the least, rather different.”

He reportedly added that the incorporation of Sharia could improve relations between faith groups and boost the country’s security.

He said: “I am also sometimes confronted by those who point out that there are elements within the Muslim community who pose a threat to our very security. My answer is not to dispute them but to suggest that it is for those of us forming part of the majority community to address such problems.”
Thanks Dhimmi Watch

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