Sharia in action

Submitted by Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai (India), Aug 23, 2010 at 20:46

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.

Even western society has adopted different levels of dressing, for both male and female citizens. The 'burka' or 'chador' can be a variation on the theme of dressing, provided Islam is not singled as the starting point of a social or political discrimination.

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.

Islam will fully back up any limitations on noise pollution to accommodate and ingratiate with neighbours who are inconvenienced. Any public objection to Azan, based on religious discrimination is another matter.

Forcing a young girl to marry somebody from the old country is understood as criminal.

Islam does not approve any forced marriage. The prevalent tragedies are borne of local tradition, which have no relation to Islam, though at times understandable on tangential grounds. In the final analysis, an adult's full agreement is must for a marriage in Islam. Period.

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.

That declaration may be shocking or debatable, but only to the uninitiated. Any shock is meant to be avoided at all costs, as per dawah guideline in Holy Quran.

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.

Those fortunate enough to perform Haj Pilgrim would vouch, how Muslims of all nationalities, ethnicities, languages, cultures, levels of life mesh together in a virtual blissful whole. The taste of pudding is in the eating.

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 is a maximalist provision. There are provision as well as traditions for accommodation at other levels. Though Malaysia is not the best example, but it is unique that sharia there is not imposed on non-Muslim citizens.

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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