Sharia Law: A Call for New Educational Paradigms

ABSTRACT: This paper will attempt to summarize and explain the different elements of Sharia Law and how they pertain to the lifestyles of those in both Middle Eastern and Western countries. Furthermore, this paper will compare and contrast the factions of Sharia law with western legal practices and ascertain areas where Sharia law can be incorporated in western law and which areas devout Muslims can adhere to without interference from western governments. This paper will not discuss in great detail the current affairs of the “War on Terror” or discuss in depth the recent and ongoing revolutions within Middle Eastern. Instead, references to these events will only in the scope of their impact on the Sharia law. The lack of critical thinking educational paradigms and strategies by western academics teaching middle eastern law must be addressed as it is the opinion of this author that western academics are woefully inadequate at addressing these issues when using ethnocentric variables.