In Quotes - Sharia in UK

Here are some statements about the revelations that some criminal cases are being tried by Islamic courts in Britain, and not by the British criminal justice system. (They are all from this article)

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo of the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity said:

Sharia courts now operate in most larger cities, with different sectarian and ethnic groups operating their own courts that cater to their specific needs according to their tradition. The Government has not been straight about this. It has it’s own sharia advisers and it has already introduced measures that are compliant with sharia law. Muslim communities are creating their own infrastructure based on sharia law. A Muslim community can now function within its own society on every level.

Faisal Aqtab Siddiqi, head of the Hijaz College Islamic University in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, said:

We no longer have the bobby on the beat who will give somebody a slap on the wrist. So I think there is a case to be made under which the elders sit together and reprimand people, trying to get them to change.

The Tory spokesman for homeland security Patrick Mercer said:

This is complete nonsense. If you want to live under sharia law you should go to a country where it holds sway.