One Law for All

I am grateful to regular contributor Derius, who yesterday attended the 'One Law for All' anti-Sharia demonstration in Trafalgar Square.

Here is his report on the march, the speakers and the day's other events (with thanks to Aeneas for the pictures and full credit for all the following information to Derius):

One Law for All Anti Sharia Rally

It is a sad day when, in one of the countries where the enlightenment began, and where some of history’s most prominent philosophers were born, it becomes necessary to protest against the introduction of Sharia Law. That, unfortunately, is the position we now find ourselves in.

Due to thirty years of mass immigration policies, combined with a constant desire by our Government to appease the adherents of Political Islam, there is now a very significant movement by groups such as the Muslim Council of Britain to introduce Sharia Law into tribunals in this country. These groups label any attempts to oppose them as “Islamophobic” and “racist”.

These events cannot be allowed to continue. Maryam Namazie, who has quite correctly identified the problem, has set up the One Law for All campaign to stop this worrying development. Her statement is simple and to the point: “This is your chance to voice your opposition to sharia law and all religious-based tribunals in Britain and elsewhere, demand one secular law and full citizenship rights, demand an end to cultural relativism and racism, and defend universal rights.”

The rally began in Trafalgar Square at 3.30pm. The turnout was from 200-300 initially, to listen to a variety of speakers, a number of whom had fled oppressive Islamic regimes and come to live in Britain. They now find themselves up against the same retrograde forces in this country, who appear to be supported by not only the British Government, but by other prominent figures such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, all under the banner of “celebrating diversity”.

After the speakers had finished, there was a march to Holborn. Observing the reactions of onlookers was positive, as a number waved or shouted approval. A dozen or so people, once seeing the march, also joined in. The atmosphere was relaxed, and trouble free; a stark contrast to some of the incidents at the recent pro Palestinian rallies.

Once we arrived at Conway Hall, a public meeting was held. The speakers included Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, chair of British Muslims for Secular Democracy; Naser Khader, founder of Democratic Muslims; Gina Khan of One Law for All; the writer Kenan Malik; Maryam herself; Fariborz Pooya of Iranian Secular Society and chair of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Carla Revere, chair of the Lawyers’ Secular Society.

The legal situation regarding Sharia courts in Britain was discussed in depth. As is usually the case with legal matters, the issue is far from straightforward. However, the general thrust is that under the current legal system, Sharia tribunals are voluntary, and nobody can be legally forced to have arbitration within them. However, once an individual does agree to such arbitration, then it is very difficult for the decision to be subsequently overturned in the courts. This presents two problems. The first is that some people may be forced to agree with the arbitration of such tribunals through community or family pressure. The second is that some people may not be aware that they have the legal right to refuse to go to such tribunals in the first place. Therefore, the solution proposed is that rulings of such Sharia tribunals should never be recognised in the courts, and their decisions are never legally binding. This means that any injustices created by the Sharia tribunals can always be overturned.

The only main disappointment with the meeting was a seeming unwillingness to discuss how Political Islam is actually derived, namely through the texts of the Qur’an, Hadith and Sira. A better understanding of the nature of the threat would be very beneficial in defeating it. Regardless though, this is certainly a worthy cause and should be widely supported.

I estimate the total number of people present at least one of the three events (rally, march and public meeting) was about 500. There were many people who were at the rally but not the public meeting, and vice versa, so only a rough approximation can be given.

It is a bitter disappointment that such a campaign is now needed in 21st Century Britain, caused by what only can be described as criminal negligence by our Government. I wonder whether Harriet Harman would like to have her family affairs arbitrated by a Sharia court. I suspect not, but then hypocrisy is something New Labour seem to excel at these days.