Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siddiqi - Controversy Over Sharia Courts in The UK

Controversy Over Sharia Courts in The UK

Shaykh Faiz was amongst the guests on the Law in Action programme aired on 28 November 2006 which discussed the issue of Sharia courts in the UK, which was covered by many newspapers and other media. Shaykh Faiz made the following observation about the issues:

"Because we follow the same process as any case of arbitration, our decisions are binding in English law. Unless our decisions are unreasonable, they are recognised by the High Court."

Shaykh Faiz was also involved in a debate in London in February 2008 entitled KINGDOM OF GOD: the Archbishop, the Sharia and the Law of the Land in response to a speech by Archbishop Rowan Williams, in which Shaykh Faiz defended and advocated the use of Islamic Family Law in the UK and showed hope that in the future a more educated and spiritual Muslim community in Britain would be able to live under all aspects of Sharia Law.

Shaykh Faiz launched the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal to deal with the issue of forced marriages within the Muslim community.

Shaykh Faiz delivered a lecture within the walls of Temple Church entitled "Family Law, Minorities and legal Pluralism: Should English Law give more Recognition to Islamic Law?" in November 2008 which sparked media controversy over its endorsement of polygamy.