Texas Judge Denies Muslim Woman Divorce: Rules She Must Obtain One Through Sharia Court

In March of 2021, a Muslim woman by the name of Mariam Ayad, went to an American court in Texas requesting a divorce from her husband Ayad Hashim Latif.  However, Texas County Judge Andrea Thompson refused to grant one.  Judge Thompson ruled that when the couple married they had signed a prenuptial agreement in which Ayad agreed for her marriage to be arbitrated under Sharia Law.  Judge Thompson ruled that Ayad must file for divorce before a Sharia Panel hosted by the Islamic Association of North Texas, whose members are governed by traditionalists from Saudi Arabia.  However, Ayad protested, stating that when she signed the agreement, she had no idea that she was agreeing to any such thing.  Her attorney also protested, stating that Judge Thompson's ruling was unconstitutional.  

Perhaps the Judge fails to understand a few things, one is that American citizens are under American Law, not Sharia Law or Japanese Law, or any other foreign legal system.  Second, under Sharia Law, a woman's testimony is worth half that of a man's, so it's very clear that a Sharia court would not rule favorably for Ayad.  Ayad's case is now being appealed, but sadly, this is not an isolated one.  In 2008, a Muslims woman in New Jersey sought a divorce and restraining order from her husband who repeatedly raped her and beat her.  In the case, known as SD vs. MJR, a the court actually ruled in favor of the abused woman's husband, stating that he was acting out of his religious right, and not out of criminal intent.  Thankfully, the New Jersey Appeals Court overturned this ruling in 2010, stating that American Criminal Law applied here, not Sharia Law.  However, the fact that these cases are even having to go to appeals court is horrific, and it shows how Sharia is creeping into every aspect of our society, even our legal system.  

Sources:

Rowan, Nicholas.  "Texas Judge Denies Woman Divorce Proceedings in Favor of Sharia Tribunal."  Yahoo.  July 08, 2021.  Accessed from https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/texas-judge-denies-woman-divorce-185600526.html.

"Texas Judge Denies Woman Divorce Proceedings, Orders Her to Appear in Sharia Tribunal.  CBN News.  July, 09, 2021.  Accessed from https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2021/july/texas-judge-denies-woman-rsquo-s-divorce-proceedings-orders-her-to-appear-in-sharia-tribunal.