Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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The BBC recently reported that a leading U.S. doctor has called for cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages. Similarly, in 2026, Ireland will become the first country to implement a nationwide alcohol health labeling policy. This development led one expert to suggest that Western nations are gradually aligning with an Islamic perspective on alcohol, as… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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Responding to international criticism, “Abdul Hakim Sharaee, the acting minister of justice [in Afghanistan], has stated that the Islamic Emirate’s mission is not to convince the world but to enforce Islamic law.” Earlier, “[a] senior Taliban leader ha[d] publicly criticized his government’s policy of prohibiting female education in Afghanistan, calling it a ‘personal choice’ rather… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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In Syria, the “new central bank governor, Maysaa Sabreen, said she wants to boost the institution’s independence over monetary policy decisions. . . . Islamic banking complies with sharia, or Islamic law, and bans charging interest as well as investing in prohibited businesses such as trading in alcohol, pork, arms, pornography or gambling.” “A young… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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In Syria, “[t]he new government’s plan for a swift constitution overhaul, potentially prioritizing Islam, [has sparked] unrest in a country with 30% religious and ethnic minorities.” “Islamic Scholars and other stakeholders have urged clerics who many claim to be Muftis to deepen their knowledge about Sharia before stating their position on any Islamic matters, especially… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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Commenting on whether HTS would implement sharīʿa in Syria and, if so, in what manner, a pundit and former U.S. Army soldier remarked, “People at the State Department were the ones telling us the Taliban would moderate, that they were seeking legitimacy.” Sharaa–previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani–the head of HTS, once “espousing violence to achieve… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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The Supreme Court of the Philippines updated the training prerequisites for “Shari’ah Bar” candidates to enhance the quality of Islamic legal education. Referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham‘s (HTS) policies vis-a-vis Islamic law, one commentator noted that the organization’s enforcement of Islamic law in the Idlib region of Syria has been moderate: “They were obviously conservative… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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“Syria‘s rebel leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has dismissed the online controversy over videos showing him gesturing to a young woman to cover her hair before he posed for a photo with her last week. . . . ‘I did not force her. But it’s my personal freedom. I want photos taken for me the way that… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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“The Taliban’s continued imposition of strict interpretations of Islamic law and Afghan culture has resulted in unprecedented restrictions on women and girls, the UN envoy for the country warned [recently].” For more content and context on the recent developments in Afghanistan, consult our Editor-in-Chief, Professor Intisar Rabb’s “Resource Roundup: Afghanistan, the Taliban, and Islamic Law.” … CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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“Iran has carried out an unprecedented number of amputations for theft over the past three years, a punishment based on [the state’s strict interpretation of] Islamic law that breaks international human rights laws.” For more content and context on harsh interpretations and applications of Islamic criminal law, consult our Editor-in-Chief, Professor Intisar Rabb’s “Resource Roundup:… CONTINUE READING

Islamic Law in the News Roundup

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“For the past years of its existence, the NYSC [National Youth Service Corps, Nigeria] scheme has been mandating prospective female corps members who are married to change their father’s name (or family name) to that of their husband’s. This has not gone down well with Muslims among the female prospective corps members. This is because, in… CONTINUE READING