Have you ever heard from a family member or friend that one of the scariest things about Islam besides terrorism is that it seeks to impose Sharia Law on the world? Of course, both these calumnies against Muslims have caused great suffering and fear in their communities throughout the West. Our Jewish-Catholic-Muslim Dialogue of Southern New Jersey, an outreach of our Catholic-Jewish, Catholic-Muslim Commissions, will be sponsoring a symposium titled, “Islamic Sharia Law: Myths and Facts,” a free symposium, on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at Congregation Beth El Synagogue, Voorhees. Prior registration is requested at www.jeresnj.org or 856 751-9500 ext. 1117.
Our keynote speaker for the symposium will be Imam Sohaib Nazeer Sultan, Muslim Life Coordinator and chaplain at Princeton University. He is a graduate of the Hartford Theological Seminary, earning a Masters in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, and a Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy. He has authored several books, including “The Koran for Dummies” and “The Qur’an and Sayings of Prophet Muhammad: Selection Annotated and Explained.” Sultan is also a public lecturer on Islam, Muslim Cultures and Muslim-Western Relations. He has traveled all around the U.S., Middle East and Europe to promote mutual respect and understanding. Congressman Rob Andrews will also attend and speak at the symposium.
Most of us are aware of many of the myths surrounding sharia law, as we have been bombarded with them in the news media. Many of the fear mongers will tell you that sharia law, instead of imposing fines and imprisonment, advocates whipping, amputations, blinding and the death penalty for minor offenses. Have you also heard that Muslims want to impose sharia law throughout the world? Out of the 50 or so majority-Muslim countries in the world, only nine small countries and Pakistan implement full sharia law. Remember the rumor that Muslims were trying to impose sharia law in major Western cities? A recent British poll found that 79 percent of Muslims in that country thought Christianity should dictate United Kingdom law. (A higher number than Christians themselves in the UK!)
Sharia law is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia influences and addresses most aspects of life for the Muslim. It addresses most topics found also in secular law such as, crime, politics, economics, as well as very personal human actions such as sexual intercourse, hygiene, diet, prayer and fasting. The two primary sources of sharia law come from the teachings found in the Quran (Islamic scriptures) and the example left by the Islamic prophet Muhammad found in the sunnah. The sunnah outlines the practices of Muhammad that he taught by the manner of his life. According to Muslim belief, this practice is to be followed by all the faithful as called upon by God. The sunnah of Muhammad includes his words, habits, practices and non-verbal example.
Some of the topics and aspects of Islamic life covered in sharia are purification, prayer, funeral prayers, alms, fasting, pilgrimage, trade, inheritance, marriage, polygamy, divorce, child custody, justice, legal and court proceedings, penalties, leaving Islam/apostasy, dietary laws, liquor and gambling, customs and behavior, rituals and dress codes.
Sharia also addresses some of the more contemporary issues facing Muslims, such as; democracy, human rights, freedom of speech, gay rights, women, slavery and emancipation and how to interact with non-Muslims.
There is no one stipulated interpretation of sharia law in Islam. Modernists, traditionalists and fundamentalists in Islam hold different views of sharia and its interpretation, as well as adhere to different schools of Islamic thought and scholarship. Also the culture of the various countries and peoples who adhere to Islam influences their practice, or lack of practice, of sharia law. The modern revival of Islam in the world today influences Muslim understanding and relationship with sharia law.
I hope you will be able to join us for this most interesting symposium. Bring an open mind and all your questions, fears and curiosities.
If you go:
“Islamic Sharia Law: Myths and Facts,” a symposium, is free and open to the public. It will be held Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at Congregation Beth El Synagogue, 8000 Main Street, Voorhees. Prior registration is requested at www.jeresnj.org or 856 751-9500 ext. 1117.
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