Sharia Law, a.k.a. Islamic Law. The law of the land in Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Other countries such as Pakistan and Indonesia have adopted some aspects of sharia. Meanwhile, Muslim neighborhoods in non-Muslim countries (e.g. Britain, France, Germany) become parallel societies where sharia law is enforced.
Sharia law is not compatible with Western society and its values. And here are some examples of sharia law in the Muslim world:
- Non-Muslims are given second-class status, thus being subject to discrimination, harassment, etc. In addition, no new places of worship for non-Muslims are to be built, nor can they be renovated.
- Non-Muslims are also forbidden from proselytizing (attempting to convert others to their respective faith) and demonstrating their faith outside of their places of worship.
- Non-Muslims are to wear distinctive clothing (including a belt around the waist), have the front of their hair cut, and keep the side of the street whenever Muslims approach.
- Pork and alcoholic beverages are forbidden.
- Muslims cannot convert to other faiths upon pain of death.
- Should any non-Muslim violate such laws, he or she could be put to death or sold into slavery.
- Muslim men can marry non-Muslim women, but non-Muslim men cannot marry Muslim women.
- Muslim men are allowed to beat their wives. In addition, Muslim men can have up to four wives, as well as sex slaves.
- Child marriages are allowed, as are temporary marriages.
- Women are considered inferior to men, and their testimony is considered to be half that of a man.
- Women are to drop everything if their husbands want to have sex.
- Muslim men may forbid their wives from leaving the house, on the grounds that they might engage in adultery.
- Honor killings are allowed, and any punishment for the perpetrators is usually just a slap on the wrist.
- If a woman is raped, she would need the testimony of four male witnesses to prove it. Otherwise, she is guilty of adultery or fornication.
- Some Muslim women are also subject to female circumcision (on the grounds it will diminish their sexual desires and thus not commit adultery or fornicate). Needless to say, it is a painful procedure.
- Those convicted of adultery or fornication (as well as same-sex relationships) can be subject to flogging or being executed.
- Then there is the jizya- a special poll tax that non-Muslims have to pay. It is practically equivalent to paying protection money to the mafia. But the tax can be burdensome, and was paid by means of the non-Muslim bringing the money to a Muslim official, who would treat him in a humiliating manner (i.e., being hit on the head or the back or the neck, being forced to bow while being struck on both cheeks).
Historically, jizya has not been limited to non-Muslims paying taxes in Muslim lands. The Barbary Pirates of North Africa demanded tribute from non-Muslim nations and would prey upon non-Muslim ships throughout the Mediterranean. American ships were no exception, and the United States paid $2 million annually (which constituted 20% of the nation’s revenue). These burdensome payments, along with Thomas Jefferson learning what the jizya was, sent in the Navy and Marines. Such action, and a subsequent naval expedition in 1815-1816, put an end to the Barbary Pirates.
Today, foreign aid to Muslim nations from non-Muslim nations is considered to be a form of jizya (i.e. tribute) among some Muslims.
At any rate, sharia law and the jizya, like jihad, are part of the Muslim way of life And that is why anyone who values freedom should be aware of these facts and should be opposed to the concept of sharia law and the jizya.
