A Times of London investigation reveals that the United Kingdom has quietly become the Western hub for Sharia councils—religious bodies that arbitrate Islamic marriages and divorces outside the formal legal system. While these councils are not officially recognized as courts, their influence is real, particularly in Muslim communities where many marriages are conducted religiously but never registered under civil law.

The consequences are serious. Without a civil marriage, spouses—most often women—lack basic legal protections related to property, inheritance, pensions, and financial support. Divorce proceedings handled through Sharia councils can reflect unequal standards, leaving vulnerable individuals with fewer rights than those guaranteed under British law. Despite this, the UK government has largely declined to regulate these councils, citing religious freedom concerns.

Britain’s experience highlights a broader warning for Western nations: when parallel legal systems operate without oversight, the rule of law weakens and economic and civil protections erode. A single, equal system of law is essential—not just for justice, but for economic security, individual liberty, and national cohesion.

Want to learn more? Be sure to check out this article: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/sharia-law-courts-uk-marriages-divorce-zs76vq2c9?utm_source=chatgpt.com