Is there really an Islamic Court in Texas? Come to find out in a divorce case that was appealed in 2003 the court uphelded an arbitration agreement based on sharia law. It takes your breath away, doesn't it? It could be a dangerous precedent for our democracy and will likely provide a narrow framework of legal remedies for Muslims living in America.
Anytime, any religious agreement is allowed to dominate over all other legal remeidies, it should get your attention.
Critiques of sharia law have argued for quite a while now that Islamists are chipping slowly away at our laws. This case could be a good example:
1. The Parties agree to arbitrate all existing issues among them in the abovementioned Cause Numbers in the appropriate District Court, which includes the Divorce Case, the child custody of the [sic] Noor Qaddura and Farah Qaddura, the determination of each party's responsibilities and duties according to the Islamic rules of law by Texas Islamic Court.
2. All parties agree to sign the Texas Islamic Court required legal forms, and each party pays his required fees.
3.The panel of arbitrators of Texas Islamic Court will be formed according to the rules and regulations of Texas Islamic Court. However, the parties agree and suggest the following names for the panel:
Mujahid Bakhash, the Imam of the Islamic Association of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. Main El-quda, the Imam of the Islamic Society of Arlington, Arlington, Texas. .Abdel Salam Abu-Nar, the Imam of Dar Assalam Islamic Center, Arlington, Texas
4. Each Party will submit all of his documents, exhibits, and evidence to Texas Islamic Court.
5. The parties agree that the Ruling of the Texas Islamic Court in the above mentioned Cause Numbers is Binding, and Final, and no party will take any appeal or future legal action of any matter afterwards.
...We reverse the trial court's orders denying Appellants' motions to stay litigation and to compel arbitration in these two consolidated cases. We render judgment that the Arbitration Agreement signed by the parties is valid and enforceable and covers all disputes between the parties that arose prior to the date the parties signed the Arbitration Agreement, including all matters that were the subject of the partial summary judgment previously granted by the trial court.
So in Texas, be well aware if you sign an agreement at a Texas Islamic Court you could forefit some of the rights you might have in a regular court that other citizens get.
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