Women and Shari'a Law: The Impact of Legal Pluralism in the UK

Description

In response to recent media controversy and public debate about legal pluralism and multiculturalism, Manea argues against what she identifies as the growing tendency for people to be treated as'homogenous groups'in Western academic discourse, rather than as individuals with authentic voices. Building on her knowledge of the situation for women in Middle Eastern and Islamic countries, she undertakes first-hand analysis of the Islamic shari'a councils and Muslim arbitration tribunals in various British cities. Based on meetings with the leading sheikhs - including the only woman on their panels - as well as interviews with experts on extremism, lawyers and activists in civil society and women's rights groups, Manea offers an impassioned critique of legal pluralism, connecting it with political Islam and detailing the lived experiences of women in Muslim communities. Cover Author Bio Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Tables Acknowledgements Introduction: The Debate 1. A Critical Review of the Essentialist Paradigm 2. Islamic Law in the West: The Case of Britain 3. Legal Pluralism in Practice 4. Islamic Law and Human Rights Between Theory and Reality: Britain as a Showcase 5. Islamism and Islamic Law in the West: Stating the Obvious? Britain as an Example 6. Contextualising the Debate in Women’s Reality: Shariʽa Law Contested Conclusion: Time for a Paradigm Shift Notes Bibliography Index Back Cover