What is Islamic law? What does it mean to have an Islamic mortgage? How do halal rules function? What could it mean to “ban sharii’a”? These questions and more will be discussed at a presentation sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Westford on the role of Islamic law in legal systems, both in the United States and around the world. This event will be held in the Avis Lounge at the Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street, Westford, on Thursday, May 18th from 7:30 p.m – 9:00 PM. (Flyer attached)
The talk will be given by Rine Vieth, a PhD student in Anthropology at McGill University in Montréal, Québec, whose studies focus on the intersections of religion, society, and law. Drawing on experience studying and working in Europe and North America, Rine will give a broad overview of the overlaps between religious norms and state law. The goal is to give participants an understanding of the social science perspective on Islamic law in the US, which in turn can help voters clarify and question how issues related to Islamic law are presented by media outlets and elected officials.
The event is free and open to the public.
For questions or additional information, please contact LWV of Westford at info@lwv.westford.org