Monday 2 April, 2012
English Common Law, French, US and International Law:
Inspiration from Sharia Law
Hameed Abdul Karim
When you think of the word ‘law’ the images that come to your mind are of a stern looking judge seated on an elevated position in the centre of a court house flanked by a grim looking, if not frightened, members of a jury. Lawyers dressed in their flowing robes quarrelling among each other to impress their respective clients, wicked criminals and many more such images. But think of the word ‘Sharia’ and what are the pictures that pop up in your mind? Chopping of hands and stoning to death for adultery.
Don’t blame yourself. This is the manner in which our minds have been conditioned over a long period of time. ‘Law’ is civilized, ‘Sharia’ is barbaric. This line of misinformation is more accentuated nowadays especially with the advent of the ‘Arab Spring’ with Muslim groups wanting to bring in Sharia in Muslim majority countries. But hang on a minute.
