"islamic law" news and stories

Who does Campbell's Soup turn to when it needs products certified Halal for sale in Canada? The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), which is responsible for making sure the product meets the conditions of Islamic law (it uses no pork and byproducts, the animals are properly slaughtered, it does not contain alcohol, contains no carnivorous animals or birds of prey, and is not contaminated with any of the former).

According to an ABC News story, conservative blogger Pamela Geller (she of the Ground Zero Islamic center opposition) has led a boycott of Campbell's products, claiming that the ISNA has been affiliated with terrorist groups. Yet Campbell has been assured by the State Department that ISNA is, according to a Campbell spokesman, "a reputable organization."

Visit ABC News for the whole story.

Photo: pixelens/Flickr.

When a Malaysian night club was busted and 32-year-old Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was caught with a beer, she knew she was in trouble. Not because alcohol is illegal in the country -- it's not -- but because Kartika is a Muslim.

Under Sharia law -- which regulates the day-to-day life of Muslims, including politics, business, sexuality and hygiene -- consuming alcohol is a major offense. Though non-Muslim in Malaysia would be prosecuted under civil law, Kartika had to face Islamic courts.

"I accept the punishment," she said, according to a Daily Telegraph report. "I am not afraid because I was ready to be punished from day one. [The authorities] hope to use my case as a way to educate Muslims. So go ahead. I want to move on with my life."