Viennese Court Accepted Sharia Arbitration Award

A judgment from the Vienna Regional Court for Civil Matters (LG) is causing outrage among the FPÖ. The LG recently confirmed the decision of an arbitration court that had based its decision on Sharia law in a contractual dispute. FPÖ constitutional spokesperson Michael Schilchegger sees this as an enhancement of "Islamic parallel societies" and a weakening of those "forces that do not want to submit to Islam," according to a statement on Tuesday.

Sharia Arbitration Decision Confirmed

In the specific case, two men had agreed that the arbitration court should decide on contractual disputes based on Islamic legal regulations, as reported by the "Presse". However, one of the men questioned the legality after he was supposed to pay 320,000 euros following a decision by the arbitration court. Sharia is interpreted differently by scholars, and relying on it violates the fundamental values of Austrian law. However, the LG confirmed the arbitration decision because the result did not contradict Austrian fundamental values. Islamic legal regulations could be "effectively agreed upon in an arbitration agreement" for property claims.

FPÖ Announces Legislative Proposal

"If Austrian courts now also recognize arbitration decisions based on 'Sharia', they submit to the will of fanatical Islamists," warned Schilchegger. He called for a "quick and decisive reaction from the constitutional legislator" and announced another legislative proposal to amend the Islam Law, which aims to prevent the implicit recognition and application of Sharia by Austrian authorities and courts. "If Austrian governments do not finally become active as a reform force but accept what courts decide in the ivory tower, then soon it will be Islamic courts!" said Schilchegger.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.