SHARIA LAW SPREADING -- BRUNEI -- VICTORY FOR ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS

[HairOfTheDog]

Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah delivers a speech during the official ceremony of the implementation of sharia law

The very wealthy sultan's decision makes Brunei the first East Asian country to adopt Sharia Law as the law of the land (which is applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims in the country). Sultan Bolkiah has faced major criticism from the United Nations' human rights office, along with human rights organizations, world leaders, and others across the globe -- to no avail. It's a done deal.

The term "Sharia" (Arabic شريعة Šarīʿa; "way" or "path") is the sacred law of Islam. Sharia law literally means religious code of life. It is used to refer both to the Islamic system of law and the totality of the Islamic way of life. Sharia guides all aspects of Muslim life including politics, daily routines, foods, clothing, amusements, sports, familial and religious obligations, and financial dealings.

Traditional Muslims believe the Quran and the Hadith believe that sharia (Islamic law) expresses the highest and best goals for all societies on Earth. Islamic groups and fundamentalists seek to see Sharia Law implemented in every country. It is the “law of Allah” and bound to be the best of all.

Sharia law essentially makes it illegal and/or punishable to disobey the words and traditions of the prophet Muhammed in the Quran.

The sultan has defended the implementation of the law, meant to shore up Islam and guard the Southeast Asian country against outside influences. “We have never thought ill of others. We have never relied on them to accept us or agree with is but it is enough if they respect us the way we respect them,” the Sultan said last week when announcing the law’s implementation.

PHASE I IMPLEMENTATION: The initial phase introduces fines or jail terms for offenses including indecent behavior, failure to attend Friday prayers and out-of-wedlock pregnancies.

PHASE 2 IMPLEMENTATION: A second phase covering crimes such as theft and robbery is to start later this year, involving more stringent penalties such as severing of limbs and flogging.

PHASE 3 IMPLEMENTATION: Late next year, punishments such as death by stoning for offenses including sodomy (homosexuality is a death penalty offense) and adultery will be introduced.

Women's rights group are particularly concerned -- rightfully so, IMO. Under Sharia Law in some countries, a woman's testimony is worth half that of a man's and a woman's inheritance is half that of her brother's. Women who report rape can and have been charged with adultery and a man can avoid punishment for rape by marrying his victim.

Disappointing to see Sharia Law spreading, for me (one who believes there is very good reason for the separation of church and state and values human liberties over religious/mass compliance).

Refs:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-sty...-law-.html
http://www.cfr.org/religion/islam-govern...aria/p8034