Highlights
– Public debate cancelled as fanatics, women and journalists clash
– Sharia courts increasing in the UK, sparks debate over jurisdiction of British courts
– Al Muhajiroun’s rhetoric and appeal among British youths will present a long-term challenge for British security
An unprecedented debate was set to unfold two weeks ago in central London between Douglas Murray, director of the think tank Centre for Social Cohesion, and Anjem Choudary, leader of the formerly defunct radical Islamist group, al Muhajiroun. Titled “The Great Debate: Sharia Law v British Law”, Murray, Choudary, and roughly 100 spectators from both sides converged on London’s Conway Hall in Holborn.
Several skirmishes ensued after al Muhajiroun supporters blocked women from entering the hall while others engaged in heated shouting matches inside the hall over the issue of gender segregation.
The owners of the hall promptly cancelled the meeting, citing al Muhajiroun and its “thugs” had broken the terms of neutrality for its hire of the hall. Choudary responded with a speech branding Murray a coward, criticizing Jews and Christians, and claiming the night was a “victory for Osama Muslims.”
The confrontation represents an emerging challenge on the horizon for British values, its court system, and national security. We note that the event reemphasized Al Muhajiroun as an unprofessional, small, and radical Islamist group with a preference for staging high-profile and controversial public events to gain media attention. Nevertheless, the confrontation underscores a unique dilemma for Britain; maintaining democratic principles and the precedence of British law amid a growing number of Sharia courts operating in Britain.
Sharia Courts Spread
The Guardian reported on a recent study by think-tank Civitas, which found there are approximately 85 Sharia courts operating in the UK. The report claims a network of 13 converted corner shop tribunals operate in Leyton, called the Islamic Sharia Council. A majority of the remaining courts operate as informal councils around the UK. The figure is a substantial increase of a previously estimated total of five Sharia courts believed to be operating in London, Manchester, Bradford, Birmingham, and Nuneaton (Source).
British parliament passed the Arbitration Act in 1996, an act that set out rules under which voluntary parties have the right to an impartial tribunal; an interpretation that Muslim lawyers allege makes Sharia court decisions legally binding.
• Head of Leyton-based Islamic Sharia Council, Sheik Sayeed, claims a majority of current UK Sharia cases are divorce cases, involving mostly women seeking to annul forced marriages.
• The 1996 Arbitration Act also recognizes the Jewish Beth Din courts, used by Orthodox Jews in the UK (Source).
• In addition, the British Treasury supports the establishment of Sharia-compliant banking loans, which accounts for more than 40,000 customers.
We note that controversies have begun to arise where Sharia courts issue judgments that do not recognize women’s rights, gay rights, or religious freedom. The banning of a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim or the removal of property rights from women in the event of a divorce are just a few examples. Which courts have precedent will become a politically sensitive battle should Sharia law continue to play a growing role in British society.
Al Muhajiroun Reemergence
The reemergence of the radical al Muhajiroun constitutes a significant challenge for British authorities.
Choudary frequently appears in British tabloids for his inflammatory anti-British rhetoric and for his involvement in several secret recruitment meetings in British towns. The secret meetings are held with a live direct teleconference feed to exiled Islamist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed from an undisclosed location in Lebanon. Bakri built a network of followers in London by preaching anti-Western rhetoric, and by campaigning in mosques, colleges and on university campuses. A 2005 anti-terror investigation uncovered ties between al-Muhajiroun, its two offshoots, the Saviour Sect and al-Ghurabaa, to the 7/7 London terror attacks, subsequently leading to the arrests of several members and forcing Bakri to dissolve the group (Previous Report).
• The Conway Hall confrontation came after an al Muhajiroun-led demonstration in March 2009, where a small number of al Muhajiroun supporters engaged in an anti-British demonstration in Luton at a welcoming home parade of British soldiers.
• The Islamist group frequently videotapes members citing verses of the Quran. A recent report in a British tabloid shows Choudary at a demonstration in Birmingham, prompting an eleven year old Caucasian British boy through chants and the swearing of allegiance to Allah (Source).
We believe Choudary will schedule ongoing recruitment meetings and divisive public events to generate media attention in the near-term. Nevertheless, Choudary and the al Muhajiroun’s estimated hundreds of followers will face greater scrutiny and overt opposition from the majority of Britain’s Muslim communities. While the Home Office will likely enhance surveillance on the group’s activities with relation to extremist activities, the group’s rhetoric and appeal among British youths will present a long-term concern for authorities as Britain faces an ongoing terrorism threat by Islamic extremists.
