The question is if the fullest form of Islam, Sharia, can co-exist with Secular Law as practiced in the Democratic Western World.

Submitted by Isaac Haskiya (Denmark), Aug 23, 2010 at 07:42

Islam practiced in the privacy of one´s home is not a problem, as any other religion. Islam practiced outside might become a problem if a "burka" or "chadour" symbolizes a virtuous woman to its wearer as opposed to a lightly dressed European or American woman that feels discriminated, thus less virtuous. A minaret with a powerful loudspeaker might disturb the ears of somebody who listens to Mozart at home or within the soundproof walls of a rocking discotheque. Forcing a young girl to marry somebody from the old country is understood as criminal. Saying that Islam is the only "right" religion and that others are imperfect religions is schocking to the ears of a Catholic person or of a Jew, even to the secularized mind. There are different levels as to the ways of life in Islam and that some cannot be tolerated whereas others may be acceptable. A social shock occurs when the differences between two cultures become too great....too contrastive. Sharia, on the other hand, is Islam applied in its fullest to every aspect of life, and not only as law.It cannot tolerate a co-existence with Secular Law. That´s where we get our position in Europe; we can say yes to a lenient, non- dominant form of Islam but we cannot accept Sharia or exaggerations. States where the population is Muslim in its totality - or almost - can apply Sharia if they want to. It is up to them. They can even tell a non-muslim visitor that he must respect Sharia, as Western States, living within the domain of Secular Law, have the right to say to its Muslim residents that they have to respect that law together with the traditions of the country and that nothing else can apply.

Globalism is a nice thought. Some people believe they can live any place. That is utopistic and possible only if you leave some of your typical traditions and values behind you. One cannot live in China as one lives in Ireland. There is no such elasticity in the mechanisms of changing cultures nor in the tolerance of the "new" country. You will be frustrated and unhappy as you will make the local people around you frustrated, unhappy and even aggressive.

The human being is social and happy among people he can identify with. There are exceptions of course but they do not make the rule; the rule being living in your own country if you want to practice all the traditions common to the people of the country! Whether it is faith, food, ethics or art!

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