Apparently, the Muslims are making the Brits get comfortable with Islamic law. An oraganization calling itself "The Muslim Parliament" is making pronouncements. It's website identifies it as

a forum whose purpose is to debate, campaign and lobby on issues concerning the Muslim community in Britain 

Certainly, it has the right to call itself whatever it wishes. But the name itself does seem to imply a separate law—making body for Muslims in the UK, and demands for the application of Shari'a law to Muslims are heard in many countries, from the U.K. to Canada to Australia. De Facto autonomous "no—go" zones for police already exists in France and elsewhere in Europe.

The UK "Muslim Parliament" now wants registration for Madrassas in order to protect children from abuse, a most worthy cause, to be sure:

At a meeting in central London today (Wednesday 22nd March 2006), Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, Leader of the Muslim Parliament will launch a report highlighting the absence of a nationally implemented child protection strategy exposes some 100,000 Muslim children to significant risk of harm. The report also highlights the existence of child abuse in Madrasas, and presents an action plan that has the support of Anne Cryer MP, Member of Parliament for Keighley.

Dr Siddiqui will say:

"Sweeping the issue of child abuse in UK Madrasas under the carpet is not a solution. If nothing is done now we may face an avalanche of child sex—abuse scandals, decades afterwards, similar to those that rocked the Roman Catholic Church in the 1990s. To protect the integrity of these valued institutions it is important that all Madrases put in place transparent and accountable polices and procedures."

Dr. Ghayasuddin Siddiqui revealed on national radio in the UK (Radio 4) that child abuse is rampant in UK madrassas.

I am all for protecting children and registering madrassas. But I do wish the organizaion would choose a name less redolent of law—making.

Hat tip: James Arlandson

Thomas Lifson  3 22 06