Iran acid blinding sentence postponed

The Iranian authorities have seen sense. They postponed blinding a man with acid following an international outcry over the retributive punishment imposed after he was found guilty of doing the same to a woman who refused to marry him.

In a literal application of the sharia law of an eye for an eye, Majid Movahedi was scheduled to be rendered unconscious in Tehran's judiciary hospital today while his victim, Ameneh Bahrami, dropped acid in both his eyes.

But Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency reported that officials had postponed the sentence on Friday night and not indicated when the punishment might be carried out in future.

Ameneh Bahrami has been severely damaged, physically, mentally and spiritually. She is hellbent on retribution and, from a human perspective, that sense wells up quite effectively. We all get that revenge feeling from time to time. Many are siding with her. But this sharia law goes directly opposite to the Christian Gospel. She will have to reveal her true fellings and reasons for her actions at the "dreadful day of judgement", as the Prayer Book puts it, and what she wants to do will have to be put before the "whole company of heaven".

Much of the world believes in an eye for an eye. Somehow it lets them eat their breakfast more easily after a good nights sleep. George Bush is cock-a-hoop Bin Laden's dead. That's the Bin Laden of Abbottabad fame and not the ones he and his father did or do business with. And George professes the Christian Faith, now in the United Methodist Church, having departed his Episcopalian background. He should know that Christ told us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."

It's not easy being a Christian, but saying you are a Christian and then defying the Gospel repeatedly, then that's something else entirely.

Sharia law in England?

Once again the debate over whether Sharia law could, or should, be introduced into the UK is ignited. Previously the Archbishop of Canterbury put his head above the parapet. He got slings and arrows for his pains! Now the Lord Chief Justice has fared slightly better. He has at least been listened to.

Basically all Sharia law is is a set of principles which govern the way many Muslims believe they should live their life. Not all Muslims by any stretch, but a goodly number. My view is that it is perfectly OK for this if it is wanted. After all, the Church of England has its own set of laws encoded into synodical law or canon. I can't see that a Muslim counterpart would be any different.

Now, before the Sun hacks start debasing the noble and learned gentleman, we should understand what exactly Lord Phillips is saying. He says there is no reason Sharia law's principles could not be used in mediation. However, he emphasises this would still be subject to the "jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts". So no supremacy in any way.

Severe physical punishments such as flogging, stoning and the cutting off of hands would not be acceptable, he said. He added, "There can be no question of such courts sitting in this country, or such sanctions being applied here. So far as the law is concerned, those who live in this country are governed by English and Welsh law and subject to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts." Very clear indeed, I'd say.

If we did allow Muslims this legal nicety, I for one think it would offer Muslims a way of feeling part of the legal process without their beliefs being compromised. But more importantly, it would deny the likes of Abu Hamsa, that strange version of Captain Hook, any reason to attack this country for its view of Islam. We should be happy to embrace our Islamic citizens and be able to denounce the virulent ramblings of such manic street preachers.