Women and Shari'a Law: The Impact of Legal Pluralism in the UK (Library of Islamic Law)

"In response to recent media controversy and public debate about legal pluralism and multiculturalism, Manea argues against what she identifies as the growing tendency for people to be treated as 'homogenous groups' in Western academic discourse, rather than as individuals with authentic voices. Building on her knowledge of the situation for women in Middle Eastern and Islamic countries, she undertakes first-hand analysis of the Islamic shari'a councils and Muslim arbitration tribunals in various British cities. Based on meetings with the leading sheikhs - including the only woman on their panels - as well as interviews with experts on extremism, lawyers and activists in civil society and women's rights groups, Manea offers an impassioned critique of legal pluralism, connecting it with political Islam and detailing the lived experiences of women in Muslim communities."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Should Shari‘a Law Be Introduced Into The British Legal System? Elham Manea Explores This Question As A Human Rights Activist And Arab Scholar Who Identifies Herself As Muslim. In Response To Recent Media Controversy And Public Debate About Legal Pluralism And Multiculturalism, Manea Argues Against What She Identifies As The Growing Tendency For People To Be Treated As 'homogenous Groups' In Western Academic Discourse, Rather Than As Individuals With Authentic Voices. Building On Her Knowledge Of The Situation For Women In Middle Eastern And Islamic Countries, She Undertakes First-hand Analysis Of The Islamic Shari‘a Councils And Muslim Arbitration Tribunals In Various British Cities. Based On Meeting With The Leading Sheiks (including The Only Woman On Their Panels), As Well As Interviews With Experts On Extremism, Lawyers And Activists In Civil Society And Women's Rights Groups, Manea Offers An Impassioned Critique Of Legal Pluralism, Connecting It With Political Islam And Detailing The Lived Experiences Of Women In Muslim Countries.-- Introduction : The Debate -- A Critical Review Of The Essentialist Paradigm -- Islamic Law In The West: The Case Of Britain -- Legal Pluralism In Practice -- Islamic Law And Human Rights Between Theory And Reality : Britain As A Showcase -- Islamism And Islamic Law In The West : Stating The Obvious? Britain As An Example -- Contextualising The Debate In Women's Reality : Shari'a Law Contested -- Conclusion : Time For A Paradigm Shift. Elham Manea. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 272-284) And Index. Should Shari'a Law Be Introduced Into The British Legal System? Elham Manea Explores This Question By Building On Her Knowledge Of Legal Pluralism In Middle Eastern And Islamic Countries And By First-hand Analysis Of The Islamic Shari'a Councils And Muslim Arbitration Tribunals In Various British Cities. Women And Shari'a Law Traces How Support For Legal Pluralism Evolved In The Context Of Widespread Racism And Anti-immigrant Sentiments Leading Up To The Race Relations Act Of 1968. Through Its Focus On Gender Equality And Women's Experiences, The Book Argues That The Desire To Resolve Conflict, Accommodate Muslim Minorities, And Reform A Euro-american-centric Legal System Developed Into 'the Essentialist Paradigm'. This Is A Post-colonial And Post-modern Discourse That Treats People As 'homogenous Groups', Essentialising Their Cultures And Religions, But Disregarding Individual And Authentic Voices. By Meeting With The Leading Sheikhs--including The Only Women On Their Panels--as Well As Interviewing Experts On Extremism, Lawyers, Politicians And Activists In Civil Society And Women's Rights Groups, The Author Offers A Critique Of Legal Pluralism, Connecting It With Political Islam And Detailing The Lived Experiences Of Women In Muslim Communities. "Should shari'a law be introduced into the British legal system? Elham Manea explores this question as a human rights activist and Arab scholar who identifies herself as Muslim. In response to recent media controversy and public debate about legal pluralism and multiculturalism, Manea argues against what she identifies as the growing tendency for people to be treated as 'homogenous groups' in Western academic discourse, rather than as individuals with authentic voices. Building on her knowledge of the situation for women in Middle Eastern and Islamic countries, she undertakes first-hand analysis of the Islamic shari'a councils and Muslim arbitration tribunals in various British cities. Based on meeting with the leading sheiks (including the only woman on their panels), as well as interviews with experts on extremism, lawyers and activists in civil society and women's rights groups, Manea offers an impassioned critique of legal pluralism, connecting it with political Islam and detailing the lived experiences of women in Muslim countries."-- Back cover Cover Author Bio Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Tables Acknowledgements Introduction: The Debate 1. A Critical Review of the Essentialist Paradigm 2. Islamic Law in the West: The Case of Britain 3. Legal Pluralism in Practice 4. Islamic Law and Human Rights Between Theory and Reality: Britain as a Showcase 5. Islamism and Islamic Law in the West: Stating the Obvious? Britain as an Example 6. Contextualising the Debate in Women’s Reality: Shariʽa Law Contested Conclusion: Time for a Paradigm Shift Notes Bibliography Index Back Cover