UK Hosts 85 Sharia Courts, Sparking Concerns About Parallel Legal System

Summary
The UK hosts 85 Sharia courts, making it a major hub for Islamic rulings. These councils handle marriage, divorce, and family matters but face criticism for promoting controversial practices like *nikah mut’ah* (temporary marriages) and creating a parallel legal system that undermines equality. Approximately 100,000 Islamic marriages in Britain remain unregistered, leaving women dependent on religious councils for divorce approvals. Critics argue this system disadvantages women and raises human rights concerns.

The UK has become a hub for Sharia courts, with 85 Islamic councils operating across the country, handling religious rulings on marriage, divorce, and family matters. These courts attract Muslims from Europe and North America seeking Islamic decisions. Critics, including the National Secular Society, have raised concerns about the existence of a parallel legal system, which they argue undermines equality and poses risks to women’s rights.

Established in 1982, these councils, such as the Islamic Sharia Council of Great Britain in east London, offer services like *nikah* (marriage), *talaq* (husband-initiated divorce), and *khula* (wife-initiated divorce). Reports suggest they promote controversial practices, such as *nikah mut’ah* (temporary pleasure marriages).

A Times investigation revealed that around 100,000 Islamic marriages in Britain remain unregistered with civil authorities, leaving women dependent on these councils for religious divorce approvals. Critics argue this reliance creates inequality, as men can unilaterally divorce their wives without council approval.

The National Secular Society expressed alarm over Sharia courts “undermining the principle of one law for all,” and highlighted instances of women being coerced using religious texts. Theologian Mona Siddiqui explained that Sharia jurisprudence is rooted in interpretations by Islamic scholars from the 7th to 13th centuries, with most Muslim countries modifying these laws, except in areas like marriage and divorce.

Additionally, statements by some Islamic preachers defending domestic violence have amplified concerns over the potential misuse of Sharia councils and their impact on women’s rights in the UK.