Islamic Sharia Roundup - July 2008

EYE ON SHARIAH LAW Image credit: Sultan Knish Indonesia backs sharia law, poll shows June 24, 2008 The Telegraph UK By Thomas Bell A majority of Indonesians would like to see Sharia law implemented in their country, a new poll shows, although only a minority favor the harsh measures sometimes associated with the system. The poll of 8,000 people in the world’s most populous Muslim country, home to 200 million Muslims, found that 52 per cent favored some form of Islamic legal code, such as religious arbitration in family disputes. Asked if women should be made to wear a head scarf 45 per cent said yes, while 40 per cent favored chopping off the hands of thieves. Indonesia has traditionally practised a tolerant brand of Islam, although there are some trying to pull the country in a more conservative direction. Malmo: Sports club... [read full story]