SHARIAsource U.S. Editor Abed Awad recently wrote an article for NorthJersey.com in which he discusses the history of Islam in America, and the significance of Ramadan for American Muslims. (The city of Patterson in northern New Jersey has one of the highest populations of Muslims in the country.)
Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Webb v. City of Philadelphia (3d Cir. 2009): Ḥijāb with Police Uniform
A female Muslim police officer, Kimberlie Webb, sued the City of Philadelphia under Title VII and the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Protection Act, alleging religion- and gender-based discrimination. Specifically, the plaintiff objected to the City barring her from wearing a headscarf (ḥijāb) with her police uniform, and argued that the prohibition amounted to a failure to … Continue reading Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Webb v. City of Philadelphia (3d Cir. 2009): Ḥijāb with Police Uniform
Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Matiyn v. Comm’r Dep’t of Corr. (W.D.N.Y. 1989): Prison Prayer Space
Faris Matiyn, an inmate at the Attica prison, mounted a § 1983 claim against the commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and prison superintendent Walter Kelly. The plaintiff alleged that the prison violated his First Amendment free exercise right by not allowing Sunnī and Shīʿī Muslims—the two major Muslim denominations—to have separate … Continue reading Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Matiyn v. Comm’r Dep’t of Corr. (W.D.N.Y. 1989): Prison Prayer Space
Contemporary Primary Sources: Open Letter to ISIS from Muslim Scholars
In 2004, 126 Islamic scholars from around the world published an open letter “to the fighters and followers of the self-declared ‘Islamic State,'” rejecting the religious justification for their violence. In particular, they sought to demonstrate how ISIS’ leaders were “cherry-picking” verses from the Qurʾān and how they were ignoring Islamic legal and ethical standards. … Continue reading Contemporary Primary Sources: Open Letter to ISIS from Muslim Scholars
Contemporary Primary Sources: Taffa & Taffa [2009] FamCA 85
The parties, of Lebanese background, were married in Kuwait in 1973, though had moved to Australia in 1985 and maintained dual citizenship. In October 1998 the parties divorced Islamically through a local Islamic centre, then in November 1998 attended the Lebanese embassy and executed a power of attorney to allow their respective lawyers in Lebanon to proceed … Continue reading Contemporary Primary Sources: Taffa & Taffa [2009] FamCA 85
Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Harvey v. Anderson (W.D.La. 2012): Religious Accommodations for Prisoners
Plaintiff Andre Harvey, a Muslim inmate at the David Wade Correctional Center, filed this action against the Respondent, Chaplain Ray Anderson, for allegedly removing the Plaintiff from the list on inmates approved to receive a religious diet and for denying him access to the Islamic community chapel. The Respondent filed a motion for summary judgment, … Continue reading Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Harvey v. Anderson (W.D.La. 2012): Religious Accommodations for Prisoners
Country Profile: China
This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the People's Republic of China (Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under China's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status. Country Background China is located in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, … Continue reading Country Profile: China
East Cameron Gas Sukuk: The Dawn of a New Frontier
This report assesses the East Cameron Partners' attempts to operate a large oil and gas company using Islamic finance principles. The report hails the venture as the "first Sukuk offering backed by US oil and gas assets," and discusses ṣukūk as a viable means to gain an "alternative source of funding" in energy-rich areas. Source: … Continue reading East Cameron Gas Sukuk: The Dawn of a New Frontier
Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Muhammad v. Davis (M.D. Fla. 2013): Religious Accommodations for Prisoners
The Plaintiff Akeem Muhammad, an inmate in the Florida penal system, filed suit against the Respondents (prison officials Marvin Davis, Alex Taylor, and R. Graham; the Food Service Administrator of the Fla. Dept. of Corrections; and the Assistant Warden and Warden of Florida State Prison) for their refusal to provide him with a daily pre-fasting … Continue reading Islamic Law in U.S. Courts: Muhammad v. Davis (M.D. Fla. 2013): Religious Accommodations for Prisoners
Country Profile: Ukraine
This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of Ukraine (Ukrayina), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Ukraine's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status. Country Background Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea. It is bounded by Moldova, Romania, … Continue reading Country Profile: Ukraine