Theresa May launches review into the 'harm' caused by dozens of Sharia law courts operating in Britain

• Independent probe is finally getting underway and will report next year 
• Home Secretary wants information on how Sharia is 'misused or exploited'
• Sharia principles can adjudicate on family and inheritance matters between Muslims if all parties agree to use the system
• There are thought to be around 85 Sharia courts operating in Britain  

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Theresa May today announced an independent review into the harm done by Sharia law in Britain 

A long-awaited independent review of Sharia law will examine how it can cause 'harm' in communities, Theresa May revealed today.

The Home Secretary said the investigation would look at the extent to which the Islamic legal system is being 'misused or exploited' to discriminate against women and others.

She added the inquiry will also assess how incompatible the application of Islamic law may be with the law in England and Wales.

Sharia law lays down a series of rules and guidelines for Muslims. 

In Britain there are around 85 Sharia courts which rule in family and inheritance disputes between Muslims who agree to be bound by the decisions. 

There are also some 'Sharia-compliant' financial products available through banks 

Mrs May today confirmed the inquiry is under way and is expected to be completed by next year.

It will focus on several issues, including the treatment of women in divorce, domestic violence and custody cases.

Mona Siddiqui, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of Edinburgh, has been appointed chairwoman and will be joined by three panel members.

The panel will be advised by two religious and theological experts.

In a written statement to MPs, Mrs May said: 'This review will be a full, independent review to explore whether, and to what extent, the application of Sharia law may be incompatible with the law in England and Wales, such as legislation around equality.

'The review will also examine the ways in which Sharia may be being misused, or exploited, in a way that may discriminate against certain groups, undermine shared values or cause social harms.

'It will not be a review of the totality of Sharia law, which is a source of guidance for many Muslims in the UK.'

In a statement outside the Commons, she said: 'A number of women have reportedly been victims of what appear to be discriminatory decisions taken by Sharia councils and that is a significant concern.

'There is only one rule of law in our country, which provides rights and security for every citizen.'

Mrs May added the review will also look for best practice in relation to governance, transparency and assuring compliance and compatibility with UK law.

The Home Office initially announced an independent investigation of Sharia councils as part of the Government's counter-extremism strategy last September.

The panel includes retired high court judge Sir Mark Hedley, barrister Sam Momtaz and specialist family lawyer Anne Marie Hutchinson.

Imam Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi and Imam Qari Asim, who is chief imam at the Makkah mosque in Leeds, will advise the panel on religious and theological issues relating to aspects of Sharia law and how it is applied.

In a statement, review chairwoman Professor Siddiqui said: 'It's a privilege to be asked to chair such an important piece of work.

'At a time when there is so much focus on Muslims in the UK, this will be a wide ranging, timely and thorough review as to what actually happens in Sharia councils.'

Another horse and pony show by the Home Secretary. I don’t know if Theresa is the horse or the pony, but I do know that the brutal, misogynist rulings of these sharia courts are long known and the British government has done nothing.

A number of news outlets went undercover at these sharia courts. A BBC Panorama Documentary went undercover in one of the 85 sharia courts operating as a parallel legal system in the UK, uncovering the extensive abuse of women, refusal to grant divorces, charging of the woman but not the man for divorce proceedings, and even the taking away of the woman’s children, and rulings contrary to British law.In 2007, Channel 4 documentary did a series called called Divorce Sharia Style, in which Muslims appeared to express a desire to impose Sharia law on the UK.

Theresa May, Home Secretary wants information on how Sharia is ‘misused or exploited.’ They are not being misused or exploited. They are following Islamic law.

When women described being beaten and abused, court officials laughed. Evil.

Don’t expect much. The inquiry is being led by Muslims, believers in this most brutal and extreme ideology. Like I said, a horse and pony show.

So Theresa May, the woemn that banned Robert Spencer from entering the UK< has launched an inquiry into Sharia councils in UK. Why do they exist at all? Won’t this inquiry upset Muslims? Isn’t that why she banned him? Our presence was not “conducive to the public good.” They feared Muslims might get violent. Won’t this make the Muslims angry?

What are the credentials of the ‘experts’?

“Sharia courts review branded a ‘whitewash’ over appointment ‘bias’ concerns,” by Hannah Summers,Independent, July 9, 2016: