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The Home Office is calling for those with experience of sharia law to take part in an independent review examining whether the religious code is being misused within Britain.

The government-commissioned sharia law review is exploring whether the application of sharia is incompatible with the law in England and Wales.

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

The review’s chair is Professor Mona Siddiqui, who on Monday (04/07/16) issued a formal call for evidence, urging those who have experienced sharia law to share their views.

Professor Mona Siddiqui is an internationally renowned expert in Islamic and inter-religious studies – and the panel of experts includes family law barrister Sam Momtaz, retired high court judge Sir Mark Hedley and specialist family law lawyer Anne Marie Hutchinson OBE QC.

The panel will be advised by two religious and theological experts – Imam Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi and Imam Qari Asim.

The panel is particularly keen to speak to those who have worked as part of a sharia council in the last five years – or who have used a sharia council in any capacity in the last five years.

Professor Siddiqui said:

“The independent review into sharia councils has been established to explore incompatibility with the law in England and Wales, as well as the ways in which sharia may be being misused or exploited to possibly discriminate against certain groups, undermine shared values, or cause social harms.

“It is vital that the panel hears a wide range of views and experiences from a variety of sources across the country.

“Therefore, I am issuing a call for evidence to invite those who work in such councils – or those who have used sharia councils – to come forward and share their views.”

The Home Secretary committed to an independent review of the application of sharia law as part of the government’s counter-extremism strategy. The panel is expected to complete its review in 2017.

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