I’m quite worried about Scotland. In the past their hatred of the English traditionally led them into alliances with the French. These days their alliance is with Islam as shown by the Scottish National Party’s particular attachment to organisations like the Scottish Islamic Foundation, leading to scandals like the ‘cash for cronies’ business 2 years ago. This (HT Alan) is another such example, coming as it does hard on the heels of the plea from Lambeka Mosque in Sydney.
A Scottish law firm has become the first in the country to offer clients “conventional” legal representation alongside advice on sharia law. Hamilton Burns, based in Glasgow’s south side, has teamed up with an eminent Muslim scholar who will counsel clients on the Islamic aspect of civil law cases, while solicitors give advice under Scots law. Clients will be able to see a Muslim lawyer who is fully trained in Scots law at the same time as they consult a sharia scholar who is an expert in Islamic law. It will be the first time such a service has been offered in Scotland.
Despite public fears over what is deemed “creeping” sharia law, the firm stressed that the sharia advice was not legally binding and would mainly focus on giving Islamic guidelines on divorce or child custody based on rigorous readings of the Koran.
Niall Mickel, a solicitor advocate specialising in civil law and the managing partner at Hamilton Burns said: “We hope that by incorporating sharia family jurisprudence against a background of domestic Scottish legislation, we can provide our clients with as much relevant information as possible to assist them in making the right choices.”
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh is also partner at the firm. She said: “It is difficult for Muslim women to seek divorce from their husbands. If the position under Islamic law is made clear, then even though the husband might not want to take the Scots law step, women may then be able to do so.”
Employees at the law firm admit that their groundbreaking decision has been controversial. One employee hinted that it was the fact that female solicitors were involved in the new initiative that was causing concern within some sections of the Muslim community.
Shaykh Amer Jamil trained in sharia law in the Middle East and holds a Bachelor in Law qualification from Strathclyde University.
Maryam Namazie, an ex-Muslim and spokesperson for One Law for All warned that Islamic law was not as innocuous as the firm claimed. She will speak at a London seminar on tomorrow to mark International Women’s Day. She said: “Sharia law is discriminatory. It is antithetical to laws that have been fought for and hard won by progressive social movements, particularly in areas of family matters”.
Posted on 03/08/2010 4:03 AM by Esmerelda Weatherwax
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