Wales could get its first court based on Islamic law under proposals from a Muslim body, BBC Wales has learned.
A Sharia law tribunal in Cardiff will help community relations and give some Muslims services they want, supporters have told the Dragon’s Eye programme.
But some commentators, such the think-tank Civitas, say a Muslim arbitration tribunal undermines the concept of one law for UK citizens.
A women’s group said it was not needed and women may not be treated fairly.
A Tribunal has been proposed for the middle of next year, and its backers say it will bring the law and Muslim faith together.
There are already seven such tribunals in England when two parties facing marital, financial and other disputes come before experts in Islamic and UK law.
Both parties must agree to allow the tribunal to sit in judgement and the final decision is legally binding.
Shaykh Siddiqi, of the tribunal, said: “What we are trying to do is help the third or fourth generation British Muslims who are growing up to give them the services necessary to make Britain their homeland, rather than saying we actually want to ghettoise ourselves.”
‘Shoved to one side’
A recent report by Civitas was critical of Sharia courts, saying they were not in keeping with UK legal principles.
Denis MacEoin, of Civitas, said: “It is Sharia law that is given the prominent position and this effectively means that British law is shoved to one side.
“All citizens have the right to be judged under a single legal system, and that we didn’t bring in the legal system by the back door and that is effectively what is happening at the moment.”
Some fear that Muslim women may become isolated from their communities if they do not choose the tribunal system.
Marya Shabir, of the Welsh Women’s National Coalition, said: “It’s being advertised as this opt-in system when it actually isn’t.
“If a Muslim woman is given the option of using a Muslim Arbitration Tribunal over going through the courts system using the law of England and Wales; there’s no question as to which system she’s going to use.
“If she doesn’t go with the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, she is going to face stigmatisation, she will be ostracised by her community, her peers, her family who believe she is turning her back on the community.”