Men can marry underage girls as per a judgement by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sindh-high-court-chief-justices-son-kidnapped-879">Sindh High Court </a>on Monday.

The High Court said that underage girls can be married as long as they have had their first menstrual cycle.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/whats-pakistans-definition-of-child-abuse-279283">Opinion: What's Pakistan's definition of child abuse?</a> 
 
This ruling is in accordance with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sharia-law-in-indonesia-now-female-floggers-to-whip-women-for-premarital-sex-cuddling-in-public-277203">Sharia law</a>.

Watch: Pak Hindu girl 'abducted' from wedding, Forcibly converted to Islam

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pak-hindu-girl-abducted-from-wedding-forcibly-converted-to-islam-277125/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Court in Karachi passed down the ruling in a hearing about the alleged abduction, forced conversion and marriage of Huma Younus, a Catholic girl taken from her home on 10th October 2019.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-24-year-old-woman-allegedly-abducted-forcibly-converted-to-islam-277085">Pakistan: 24-year-old woman allegedly abducted, forcibly converted to Islam</a>

Her parents believe her marriage is invalid in line with the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, which forbids marriage under the age of 18.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sharia-should-be-the-only-law-say-67-of-pakistanis-141886">Sharia should be the only law, say 67% of Pakistanis</a>

Huma's parents produced evidence, including a baptismal certificate and testimony from her school, purporting to show she is 14 years old, born on 22nd May 2005.

The judges, Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Irshad Ali Shah ruled that, as per Shari'a law, even if Huma was a minor, the marriage between her and her alleged abductor, Abdul Jabbar, would be valid as she had already had her first menstrual cycle.

Men can marry underage girls as per a judgement by the Sindh High Court on Monday. The High Court said that underage girls can be married as long as they have had their first menstrual cycle.

Men can marry underage girls as per a judgement by the Sindh High Court on Monday. The High Court said that underage girls can be married as long as they have had their first menstrual cycle. Opinion: What's Pakistan's definition of child abuse? This ruling is in accordance with Sharia law. Watch: Pak Hindu girl 'abducted' from wedding, Forcibly converted to Islam The Court in Karachi passed down the ruling in a hearing about the alleged abduction, forced conversion and marriage of Huma Younus, a Catholic girl taken from her home on 10th October 2019. Also read: Pakistan: 24-year-old woman allegedly abducted, forcibly converted to Islam Her parents believe her marriage is invalid in line with the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, which forbids marriage under the age of 18. Also read: Sharia should be the only law, say 67% of Pakistanis Huma's parents produced evidence, including a baptismal certificate and testimony from her school, purporting to show she is 14 years old, born on 22nd May 2005. The judges, Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Irshad Ali Shah ruled that, as per Shari'a law, even if Huma was a minor, the marriage between her and her alleged abductor, Abdul Jabbar, would be valid as she had already had her first menstrual cycle.

Men can marry underage girls if they have had their first menstrual cycle: Pakistan court

The masked woman nervously approaches her target, shuffles into position and then unleashes a flurry of lashes -- proving herself as the newest member of the first female flogging squad in Indonesia's Aceh province.

The new recruit initially needed some coaxing to punish the offender -- an unmarried woman caught in a hotel room with a man.

Such behaviour constitutes a morality crime in Aceh, the only region in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation that imposes Islamic law -- known as Sharia. Those found guilty of breaches are often publicly whipped with a rattan cane.

But despite her reticence, she persevered and delivered her first flogging.

"I think she did a good job. Her technique was nice," Banda Aceh Sharia police chief investigator Zakwan, who uses one name, told AFP.

The controversial punishment enrages rights activists and generates heated media debate, as well as amongst politicians.&nbsp;

Indonesia's president has issued a call for the public floggings to stop but he has little say over what happens in Aceh, a deeply conservative region on Sumatra island.

Unlike the rest of the nation, Aceh follows religious law as part of a 2005 autonomy deal agreed with the central government that ended a decades-long separatist insurgency.

Here, public whipping remains a common punishment for scores of offenders for a range of charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and having gay or pre-marital sex.&nbsp;

But the job has always been done by men. Until now.

'No mercy'

More and more women are being charged for morality crimes such as public affection or premarital sex, experts say, as greater internet access and globalisation bring clashes with local cultural and religious norms.&nbsp;

Enforcement too has increased and now Aceh says it's trying to follow Islamic law, which calls for women to whip female perpetrators. This is already what happens in neighbouring Malaysia.&nbsp;

But convincing women to participate has been no easy task, and it's taken years to assemble the first female squad, according to Safriadi, who heads provincial capital Banda Aceh's Sharia Implementation Unit.

Eight women -- all Sharia officers -- agreed to be floggers and were trained in the appropriate technique and advised how to limit injury.&nbsp;

Previously, a dozen men performed all the whippings in the city for an unspecified fee.

For security reasons, Aceh officials declined to let AFP speak with the floggers, who are outfitted in cloth masks and loose-fitting brown uniforms to hide their identities.

"We train them to make sure they're physically fit and teach them how to do a proper whipping," Zakwan said.

But the secret for any whipping is getting past the mental hurdle of lashing fellow citizens.&nbsp;

For that, you need to look to God, Zakwan said.

"It's kind of an indoctrination that we give to them so they have a better understanding of their role -- have no mercy for those who violate God's law', he added.

'Too lenient'

Aceh officials insist caning deters crime, with patrols often scouring public places and establishments -- or acting on tip-offs -- to monitor behaviour.

Sharia police in Banda Aceh, a city of some 220,000 people, are on the streets round-the-clock in three shifts.

On a recent patrol, a couple sitting close to each other on the beach escaped with a reprimand.

But a group of men and women spotted at a coffee shop around 3:00 am weren't so lucky and were arrested on suspicion of breaking strict codes about unmarried men and women interacting.

<img alt="Sharia law" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1096f324-388a-42ce-969b-62f010a3ef8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NN8X7.jpg" />

[A woman, 21, who was caught in proximity with her boyfriend, is caned in Banda Aceh on October 29, 2018. (Photo: AFP)] 
 
"This shows that we never sleep looking for violations of Sharia (Islamic law)," Safriadi said.

From behind bars, one of the men said that there was nothing romantic happening at the coffee shop.

"We don't even know the women and were sitting at different tables," he told AFP.

The women were later released with a reprimand as were the men, but police said the trio may be charged for a new offence, after it was determined they were gay.

Same-sex relations can earn residents a whipping in front of jeering crowds, which can number in the hundreds.

"Sharia in Aceh is still lenient," said resident Saiful Tengkuh.

"Aceh needs harsher punishments like stoning, not just whipping. Someone committing adultery should be stoned 100 times," he added.

'Don't do it again'

Aceh, home to about 5 million people, once mulled beheading for serious crimes, but the central government ruled it out.

This summer, it made headlines over a fatwa, or religious edict, against online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and opposing a national women's football league because it didn't have a stadium where only female players, match officials and spectators would be present.

But whipping is often what gets Aceh in the news -- unwanted attention local officials say is Islamophobic.

Advocates say many people caught breaking religious law choose to whip as an efficient if painful, way to avoid a stiff jail term.

But this rough justice can take a toll.&nbsp;

Floggings can be so severe that people pass out or are hospitalised, with the most serious crimes -- including gay sex and having relations with a minor -- earning as many as 150 lashes.

Many offenders have fled the area out of shame or because customers deserted their businesses. Few are keen to discuss their experience.

For women, arrest for even a minor violation can lead to victimisation, including sexual harassment and rape during the arrest, according to research by the Network for Civil Society Concerned with Sharia.&nbsp;

Reporting these assaults without proof can even open up victims to flogging for making a false accusation, it added.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned such punishments as "barbaric", "inhumane", and tantamount to torture.&nbsp;

But Aceh officials insist they're "far more lenient" than ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia and some other Muslim nations.

"We're not aiming to hurt people by whipping them," Safriadi said.

"The most important thing is the shaming effect on violators and spectators so they don't do it again."

The masked woman nervously approaches her target, shuffles into position and then unleashes a flurry of lashes -- proving herself as the newest member of the first female flogging squad in Indonesia's Aceh province.

The masked woman nervously approaches her target, shuffles into position and then unleashes a flurry of lashes -- proving herself as the newest member of the first female flogging squad in Indonesia's Aceh province. The new recruit initially needed some coaxing to punish the offender -- an unmarried woman caught in a hotel room with a man. Such behaviour constitutes a morality crime in Aceh, the only region in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation that imposes Islamic law -- known as Sharia. Those found guilty of breaches are often publicly whipped with a rattan cane. But despite her reticence, she persevered and delivered her first flogging. "I think she did a good job. Her technique was nice," Banda Aceh Sharia police chief investigator Zakwan, who uses one name, told AFP. The controversial punishment enrages rights activists and generates heated media debate, as well as amongst politicians. Indonesia's president has issued a call for the public floggings to stop but he has little say over what happens in Aceh, a deeply conservative region on Sumatra island. Unlike the rest of the nation, Aceh follows religious law as part of a 2005 autonomy deal agreed with the central government that ended a decades-long separatist insurgency. Here, public whipping remains a common punishment for scores of offenders for a range of charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and having gay or pre-marital sex. But the job has always been done by men. Until now. 'No mercy' More and more women are being charged for morality crimes such as public affection or premarital sex, experts say, as greater internet access and globalisation bring clashes with local cultural and religious norms. Enforcement too has increased and now Aceh says it's trying to follow Islamic law, which calls for women to whip female perpetrators. This is already what happens in neighbouring Malaysia. But convincing women to participate has been no easy task, and it's taken years to assemble the first female squad, according to Safriadi, who heads provincial capital Banda Aceh's Sharia Implementation Unit. Eight women -- all Sharia officers -- agreed to be floggers and were trained in the appropriate technique and advised how to limit injury. Previously, a dozen men performed all the whippings in the city for an unspecified fee. For security reasons, Aceh officials declined to let AFP speak with the floggers, who are outfitted in cloth masks and loose-fitting brown uniforms to hide their identities. "We train them to make sure they're physically fit and teach them how to do a proper whipping," Zakwan said. But the secret for any whipping is getting past the mental hurdle of lashing fellow citizens. For that, you need to look to God, Zakwan said. "It's kind of an indoctrination that we give to them so they have a better understanding of their role -- have no mercy for those who violate God's law', he added. 'Too lenient' Aceh officials insist caning deters crime, with patrols often scouring public places and establishments -- or acting on tip-offs -- to monitor behaviour. Sharia police in Banda Aceh, a city of some 220,000 people, are on the streets round-the-clock in three shifts. On a recent patrol, a couple sitting close to each other on the beach escaped with a reprimand. But a group of men and women spotted at a coffee shop around 3:00 am weren't so lucky and were arrested on suspicion of breaking strict codes about unmarried men and women interacting. [A woman, 21, who was caught in proximity with her boyfriend, is caned in Banda Aceh on October 29, 2018. (Photo: AFP)] "This shows that we never sleep looking for violations of Sharia (Islamic law)," Safriadi said. From behind bars, one of the men said that there was nothing romantic happening at the coffee shop. "We don't even know the women and were sitting at different tables," he told AFP. The women were later released with a reprimand as were the men, but police said the trio may be charged for a new offence, after it was determined they were gay. Same-sex relations can earn residents a whipping in front of jeering crowds, which can number in the hundreds. "Sharia in Aceh is still lenient," said resident Saiful Tengkuh. "Aceh needs harsher punishments like stoning, not just whipping. Someone committing adultery should be stoned 100 times," he added. 'Don't do it again' Aceh, home to about 5 million people, once mulled beheading for serious crimes, but the central government ruled it out. This summer, it made headlines over a fatwa, or religious edict, against online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and opposing a national women's football league because it didn't have a stadium where only female players, match officials and spectators would be present. But whipping is often what gets Aceh in the news -- unwanted attention local officials say is Islamophobic. Advocates say many people caught breaking religious law choose to whip as an efficient if painful, way to avoid a stiff jail term. But this rough justice can take a toll. Floggings can be so severe that people pass out or are hospitalised, with the most serious crimes -- including gay sex and having relations with a minor -- earning as many as 150 lashes. Many offenders have fled the area out of shame or because customers deserted their businesses. Few are keen to discuss their experience. For women, arrest for even a minor violation can lead to victimisation, including sexual harassment and rape during the arrest, according to research by the Network for Civil Society Concerned with Sharia. Reporting these assaults without proof can even open up victims to flogging for making a false accusation, it added. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned such punishments as "barbaric", "inhumane", and tantamount to torture. But Aceh officials insist they're "far more lenient" than ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia and some other Muslim nations. "We're not aiming to hurt people by whipping them," Safriadi said. "The most important thing is the shaming effect on violators and spectators so they don't do it again."

Sharia law in Indonesia: Now, female floggers to whip women for premarital sex, cuddling in public

Six Malaysian Muslims have reportedly been handed one-month jail terms for skipping prayers in violation of Islamic laws, sparking fresh concern Wednesday about rising religious conservatism in the multi-ethnic country.

Attending Friday prayers is obligatory for Muslim men in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-pushes-for-two-term-limit-for-prime-ministers-265975">Malaysia</a>, but it is rare for such harsh punishments to be meted out for missing them.

Aged 17 to 35, the men had been caught having a picnic by a waterfall instead of taking part in prayers on a Friday, the holiest day of the week for Muslims, newspaper Harian Metro reported.

They were also fined between 2,400 and 2,500 ringgit ($575-$600) each after pleading guilty Sunday in a sharia court in the conservative northeastern state of Terengganu.

They are still free on bail while they appeal the sentences. They could had been jailed for a maximum of two years under Muslim-majority Malaysia's sharia laws.

"The alleged failure to attend Friday prayers is a personal matter," Zaid Malek, from rights group Lawyers for Liberty, said in a statement.

"While such acts may be considered improper by some in Muslim society, criminal punishment is excessive and not the way to address them."

He also said the sentences ran counter to pledges from the religious affairs minister to focus on rehabilitation of criminals, rather than punishment.

Critics said the case highlighted that a traditionally tolerant brand of Islam in Malaysia was being eroded, and it came weeks after four men were caned for having gay sex in violation of sharia laws.

Malaysia has a dual-track legal system, with sharia courts handling some cases for Muslim citizens.

Some 60 per cent of Malaysia's 32 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims and the country is also home to substantial ethnic Indian and Chinese communities, who do not usually follow Islam.

Six Malaysian Muslims have reportedly been handed one-month jail terms for skipping prayers in violation of Islamic laws, sparking fresh concern Wednesday about rising religious conservatism in the multi-ethnic country.

Six Malaysian Muslims have reportedly been handed one-month jail terms for skipping prayers in violation of Islamic laws, sparking fresh concern Wednesday about rising religious conservatism in the multi-ethnic country. Attending Friday prayers is obligatory for Muslim men in Malaysia, but it is rare for such harsh punishments to be meted out for missing them. Aged 17 to 35, the men had been caught having a picnic by a waterfall instead of taking part in prayers on a Friday, the holiest day of the week for Muslims, newspaper Harian Metro reported. They were also fined between 2,400 and 2,500 ringgit ($575-$600) each after pleading guilty Sunday in a sharia court in the conservative northeastern state of Terengganu. They are still free on bail while they appeal the sentences. They could had been jailed for a maximum of two years under Muslim-majority Malaysia's sharia laws. "The alleged failure to attend Friday prayers is a personal matter," Zaid Malek, from rights group Lawyers for Liberty, said in a statement. "While such acts may be considered improper by some in Muslim society, criminal punishment is excessive and not the way to address them." He also said the sentences ran counter to pledges from the religious affairs minister to focus on rehabilitation of criminals, rather than punishment. Critics said the case highlighted that a traditionally tolerant brand of Islam in Malaysia was being eroded, and it came weeks after four men were caned for having gay sex in violation of sharia laws. Malaysia has a dual-track legal system, with sharia courts handling some cases for Muslim citizens. Some 60 per cent of Malaysia's 32 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims and the country is also home to substantial ethnic Indian and Chinese communities, who do not usually follow Islam.

Six Malaysian Muslims handed jail terms for skipping Friday prayers

Sudan's ruling military council is insisting that Sharia remain the basis of the country's new laws. Watch full video to know more.

WION Global Round-Up: Sudan military Council want to retain Sharia law as legal guide

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brunei-defends-sharia-law-says-law-is-for-prevention-and-not-punishment-209945">harsh sharia laws</a> to be abandoned entirely.

In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei's regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes.&nbsp;

The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level.

The move <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nz-pm-ardern-says-bruneis-new-death-penalty-for-gay-sex-fly-in-the-face-of-human-rights-207827">sparked anger from governments</a> and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a "clear violation" of human rights while celebrities led by actor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/brunei-gay-sex-stoning-ellen-degeneres-george-clooney-others-ask-for-hotels-boycott-207956">George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted</a>.&nbsp;

In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the sharia laws.

"Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country," he insisted, according to an official translation of his speech.

Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code -- which is enforced alongside the sharia code -- but no one has been executed for decades.&nbsp;

Hassanal said that "we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law.

"This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission."

'Human rights monstrosity'

But rights groups said the announcement did not go far enough.

"It really doesn't change anything," Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP.

"This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (sharia code)."

The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the sharia code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning.&nbsp;

Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term.

Whipping and jail terms, as well as the severing of limbs for theft, under the new code, was not affected by the sultan's announcement.

It was not clear how far other sharia punishments would be enforced.&nbsp;

The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that "the entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped.&nbsp;

"It's a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan's word is law."

LGBT stigma still strong

While gay Bruneians were relieved the death penalty for homosexual sex would not be enforced, they said the law still encourages discrimination against LGBT people in the former British protectorate of about 400,000 people.

"There will still be hate against LGBT people," Khairul, a gay man in Brunei who gave only one name, told AFP.

"This law should be changed -- as long as it exists, there will always be stigmatisation against LGBT people and non-Muslims in Brunei."

The sultan -- one of the world's wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades -- announced plans for the sharia penal code in 2013.

The first section was introduced in 2014 and included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for offences including skipping Friday prayers, but introduction of the harsher penalties was delayed after criticism.

Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the oil-dependent economy, which has been ravaged by a recession in recent years.

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely.

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely. In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei's regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes. The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level. The move sparked anger from governments and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a "clear violation" of human rights while celebrities led by actor George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted. In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the sharia laws. "Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country," he insisted, according to an official translation of his speech. Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code -- which is enforced alongside the sharia code -- but no one has been executed for decades. Hassanal said that "we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law. "This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission." 'Human rights monstrosity' But rights groups said the announcement did not go far enough. "It really doesn't change anything," Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP. "This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (sharia code)." The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the sharia code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning. Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term. Whipping and jail terms, as well as the severing of limbs for theft, under the new code, was not affected by the sultan's announcement. It was not clear how far other sharia punishments would be enforced. The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that "the entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped. "It's a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan's word is law." LGBT stigma still strong While gay Bruneians were relieved the death penalty for homosexual sex would not be enforced, they said the law still encourages discrimination against LGBT people in the former British protectorate of about 400,000 people. "There will still be hate against LGBT people," Khairul, a gay man in Brunei who gave only one name, told AFP. "This law should be changed -- as long as it exists, there will always be stigmatisation against LGBT people and non-Muslims in Brunei." The sultan -- one of the world's wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades -- announced plans for the sharia penal code in 2013. The first section was introduced in 2014 and included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for offences including skipping Friday prayers, but introduction of the harsher penalties was delayed after criticism. Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the oil-dependent economy, which has been ravaged by a recession in recent years.

Brunei won't enforce gay sex death penalty after global backlash: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Facing intense criticism over the implementation of strict Sharia law in the country, Brunei's foreign ministry said recently that the law came into force as prevention and not punishment.

Brunei, a Muslim-majority former British protectorate with a population of around 400,000 implemented the Sharia law on April 3 punishing sodomy, adultery and rape with the death penalty, including by stoning, and theft with amputation.&nbsp;

The ministry&nbsp;further added that the chances for punishment would be very low as the death sentence would be awarded only on the basis of serious evidence.

The clarification from the country came after the United Nations termed the punishments as "cruel and inhuman".

The expected implementation of strict Islamic laws has drawn widespread criticism. Politicians in Europe and the United States have attacked the plans and raised concerns with Brunei.

Brunei has already banned the sale of alcohol and evangelism by other religions.

The country does not hold elections, but any discontent is assuaged with generous government policies including zero taxes, subsidised housing, and free healthcare and education.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Facing intense criticism over the implementation of strict Sharia law in the country, Brunei's foreign ministry said recently that the law came into force as prevention and not punishment.

Facing intense criticism over the implementation of strict Sharia law in the country, Brunei's foreign ministry said recently that the law came into force as prevention and not punishment. Brunei, a Muslim-majority former British protectorate with a population of around 400,000 implemented the Sharia law on April 3 punishing sodomy, adultery and rape with the death penalty, including by stoning, and theft with amputation. The ministry further added that the chances for punishment would be very low as the death sentence would be awarded only on the basis of serious evidence. The clarification from the country came after the United Nations termed the punishments as "cruel and inhuman". The expected implementation of strict Islamic laws has drawn widespread criticism. Politicians in Europe and the United States have attacked the plans and raised concerns with Brunei. Brunei has already banned the sale of alcohol and evangelism by other religions. The country does not hold elections, but any discontent is assuaged with generous government policies including zero taxes, subsidised housing, and free healthcare and education. (With inputs from agencies)

Brunei defends Sharia law, says law is for prevention and not punishment

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern denounced Brunei's decision to implement Islamic laws that would allow death by stoning for adultery and homosexuality on Thursday.

Brunei, a Muslim-majority former British protectorate with a population of around 400,000, on Wednesday&nbsp;began implementing Sharia laws, which punish sodomy, adultery and rape with the death penalty - including by stoning, and theft with amputation.

Ardern said the new laws "fly in the face" of New Zealand principles on inclusion, human rights and the death penalty. She said that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, made New Zealand's views very clear.

"We are a country that prides itself on being inclusive, on defending human rights. Obviously, the moves that they have made fly in the face of both our opposition to the death penalty, but also our principles around inclusion and human rights," the New Zealand PM said.

Brunei has defended its right to implement the laws, elements of which were first adopted in 2014 and which have been rolled out in phases since then.

Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 72, is the world's second-longest reigning monarch and is prime minister of the oil-rich country. He ranks as one of the world's wealthiest people.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern denounced Brunei's decision to implement Islamic laws that would allow death by stoning for adultery and homosexuality on Thursday.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern denounced Brunei's decision to implement Islamic laws that would allow death by stoning for adultery and homosexuality on Thursday. Brunei, a Muslim-majority former British protectorate with a population of around 400,000, on Wednesday began implementing Sharia laws, which punish sodomy, adultery and rape with the death penalty - including by stoning, and theft with amputation. Ardern said the new laws "fly in the face" of New Zealand principles on inclusion, human rights and the death penalty. She said that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, made New Zealand's views very clear. "We are a country that prides itself on being inclusive, on defending human rights. Obviously, the moves that they have made fly in the face of both our opposition to the death penalty, but also our principles around inclusion and human rights," the New Zealand PM said. Brunei has defended its right to implement the laws, elements of which were first adopted in 2014 and which have been rolled out in phases since then. Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 72, is the world's second-longest reigning monarch and is prime minister of the oil-rich country. He ranks as one of the world's wealthiest people.

Brunei's new death penalty for gay sex 'fly in the face' of human rights: New Zealand PM Ardern

At least fourteen people have reportedly lost their lives and 17 others got injured in an explosion which took place near the Polytechnic University in Kabul.

At the time of the incident, a group of 2,000 religious scholars or clerics had gathered at the university to issue a fatwa against suicide attacks in the on-going war in Afghanistan, reports Sputnik news agency.

Kabul police confirmed that it was a suicide bombing.

"The suicide attack happened outside the (Loya Jirga) tent when religious scholars were leaving the gathering," Kabul Police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai was quoted as saying by Tolo News.

Prior to the incident, the clerics had announced that the Afghan war is "illegitimate and has no roots in the Sharia law".

Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack.&nbsp;

Prior to the incident, the clerics had announced that the Afghan war is "illegitimate and has no roots in the Sharia law

At least fourteen people have reportedly lost their lives and 17 others got injured in an explosion which took place near the Polytechnic University in Kabul. At the time of the incident, a group of 2,000 religious scholars or clerics had gathered at the university to issue a fatwa against suicide attacks in the on-going war in Afghanistan, reports Sputnik news agency. Kabul police confirmed that it was a suicide bombing. "The suicide attack happened outside the (Loya Jirga) tent when religious scholars were leaving the gathering," Kabul Police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai was quoted as saying by Tolo News. Prior to the incident, the clerics had announced that the Afghan war is "illegitimate and has no roots in the Sharia law". Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack.

Death toll in Kabul suicide attack rises to 14

Hairdressers in Pakistan&#39;s conservative northwest have announced a ban in their shops on &quot;fashionable&quot; beards, saying trendy facial hair violates Islamic law.

The decision affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province echoes a similar ban introduced there more than a decade ago after militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban threatened barbers with dire consequences for trimming beards.

&quot;Creating different beard designs is against the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Mohammed,&quot; Sulemani Hairdressers Association president Sharif Kahlu told a press conference in the provincial capital Peshawar on Monday.

He said tens of thousands of barbers, all members of his association, have promised to abide by the decision and notices would be pasted in shops throughout the province informing customers.&nbsp;

Different Muslim sects adhere to different beard shapes and lengths, but the most generally accepted &quot;Islamic&quot; beard is one that is long enough to be visible from a certain distance, but not longer than a fistful of hair.

Kahlu strongly denied any pressure on his association from any militant organisation, calling the move &quot;a decision of our conscience&quot;.

&quot;We met local administrations of all the major cities and districts in the province and they assured us of their full cooperation but refused to issue any directive to make this decision official,&quot; he said.

He said there were several shops in the province, which were not members of the association. &quot;We will try and convince them to implement the decision but will not force them at all.&quot;

Militants attacked many barber shops and saloons in the province a decade ago, calling the shaving of beards un-Islamic.

In recent years men in Pakistan&#39;s major cities like Karachi and Lahore have become more metrosexual, with the growing middle class taking advantage of a trend in male beauty salons to be selfie-ready at any time.

In recent years, men in Pakistan’s major cities like Karachi and Lahore have become more metrosexual, with the growing middle class taking advantage of a trend in male beauty salons to be selfie-ready at any time

Hairdressers in Pakistan's conservative northwest have announced a ban in their shops on "fashionable" beards, saying trendy facial hair violates Islamic law. The decision affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province echoes a similar ban introduced there more than a decade ago after militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban threatened barbers with dire consequences for trimming beards. "Creating different beard designs is against the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Mohammed," Sulemani Hairdressers Association president Sharif Kahlu told a press conference in the provincial capital Peshawar on Monday. He said tens of thousands of barbers, all members of his association, have promised to abide by the decision and notices would be pasted in shops throughout the province informing customers. Different Muslim sects adhere to different beard shapes and lengths, but the most generally accepted "Islamic" beard is one that is long enough to be visible from a certain distance, but not longer than a fistful of hair. Kahlu strongly denied any pressure on his association from any militant organisation, calling the move "a decision of our conscience". "We met local administrations of all the major cities and districts in the province and they assured us of their full cooperation but refused to issue any directive to make this decision official," he said. He said there were several shops in the province, which were not members of the association. "We will try and convince them to implement the decision but will not force them at all." Militants attacked many barber shops and saloons in the province a decade ago, calling the shaving of beards un-Islamic. In recent years men in Pakistan's major cities like Karachi and Lahore have become more metrosexual, with the growing middle class taking advantage of a trend in male beauty salons to be selfie-ready at any time.

Barbers ban 'fashionable' beards in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

Pakistan&#39;s Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition filed by an infamous radical cleric to impose Sharia law in the country.

Maulana Abdul Aziz of Red Mosque, better known as Lal Masjid, had filed the petition in December 2015 under Article 184(3) of the Constitution through his counsel Tariq Asad.

The Registrar office of the Supreme Court had turned down the plea in February 2016 by declaring it as non-maintainable. The cleric had challenged the rejection.

An official of the court said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar heard the appeal in his chamber against the decision of Registrar.

&quot;The chief justice sustained the objections by the Registrar office and rejected the appeal,&quot; the official said.

The petitioner maintained that Sharia provides a solution for all ills confronted by Pakistan and asked the court to order the respondents to amend the Constitution to implement Islamic laws.

Aziz made president, the prime minister, the speaker of the national assembly, secretaries of law, justice and parliamentary affairs, governors and chief ministers of all four provinces and Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) as respondents.

The petition stated that Pakistan was founded on ideological basis rather than territorial grounds. &ldquo;Islamic and moral values enshrined in the Objective Resolution represent the aspiration of the nation and offer moral and historical intuitions for understanding the constitution,&rdquo; the applicant said.

The petitioner also said that the country was being &quot;Indianised and westernised&quot; through television channels and the &quot;younger generation has been inspired into adopting modelling and acting, singing and dancing as careers.&quot;

&ldquo;All these evils are developing due to the negligence of the federal government and its institutions defying the provisions of the Constitution,&rdquo; the petitioner concluded.

Aziz made headlines when he tried to escape from the red mosque clad in a woman&#39;s burqa during 2007 military operation but was arrested. Several cases were filed against him but he was released on bail and also allowed to return to the mosque to continue preaching.

More than 100 people, including Aziz&#39;s younger brother Abdul Rashid Ghazi, were killed when commandos stormed the mosque after a week-long standoff in July 2007.

The red mosque had been a militant hub in the heart of Islamabad with links to Pakistani Taliban.

(With inputs from PTI)

Pakistan SC rejected a plea filed by the Lal Masjid cleric seeking the imposition of Sharia Law in the country.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition filed by an infamous radical cleric to impose Sharia law in the country. Maulana Abdul Aziz of Red Mosque, better known as Lal Masjid, had filed the petition in December 2015 under Article 184(3) of the Constitution through his counsel Tariq Asad. The Registrar office of the Supreme Court had turned down the plea in February 2016 by declaring it as non-maintainable. The cleric had challenged the rejection. An official of the court said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar heard the appeal in his chamber against the decision of Registrar. "The chief justice sustained the objections by the Registrar office and rejected the appeal," the official said. The petitioner maintained that Sharia provides a solution for all ills confronted by Pakistan and asked the court to order the respondents to amend the Constitution to implement Islamic laws. Aziz made president, the prime minister, the speaker of the national assembly, secretaries of law, justice and parliamentary affairs, governors and chief ministers of all four provinces and Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) as respondents. The petition stated that Pakistan was founded on ideological basis rather than territorial grounds. “Islamic and moral values enshrined in the Objective Resolution represent the aspiration of the nation and offer moral and historical intuitions for understanding the constitution,” the applicant said. The petitioner also said that the country was being "Indianised and westernised" through television channels and the "younger generation has been inspired into adopting modelling and acting, singing and dancing as careers." “All these evils are developing due to the negligence of the federal government and its institutions defying the provisions of the Constitution,” the petitioner concluded. Aziz made headlines when he tried to escape from the red mosque clad in a woman's burqa during 2007 military operation but was arrested. Several cases were filed against him but he was released on bail and also allowed to return to the mosque to continue preaching. More than 100 people, including Aziz's younger brother Abdul Rashid Ghazi, were killed when commandos stormed the mosque after a week-long standoff in July 2007. The red mosque had been a militant hub in the heart of Islamabad with links to Pakistani Taliban. (With inputs from PTI)

Cleric wants Sharia Law imposed, Pakistan Supreme Court says no

Nearly 67 per cent&nbsp;or two out of three Pakistanis&nbsp;support&nbsp;the imposition of Sharia as the only law of the land,&nbsp;showed a survey by&nbsp;Gallup Pakistan and the Gilani Research Foundation.

The results of the survey show a more radicalised Pakistan as a similar survey carried out by the same agency seven years ago showed only 51 per cent&nbsp;of the people surveyed had said that the Sharia should be the only law applicable to their society.

Today, only five per cent of those surveyed this year have said that they are not in favour of the Sharia being imposed on society.

The Gallup Pakistan-Gilani Research Foundation survey said that they asked a nationally representative sample of men and women from all four provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtukhwa) what described their understanding of Sharia and its implementation in Pakistan, and 67 per cent said that the Sharia should be the only law, 24 per cent said that the Sharia should be the law, but not the only law (that is other legislation is also possible), while five per cent said Sharia should not be the law of the land, while four per cent said they had no opinion on the matter.

In 2010, 51 per cent said Sharia should be the only law, 30 per cent said Sharia should not be the only law applicable, eight per cent said Sharia should not be the law of the land and 11 per cent said they had no opinion or view on the matter.

If a comparison is done over the change in the mindset of Pakistanis, then the poll finds that there is a 16 percent increase in the proportion of Pakistanis who have become more radicalized and believe that Sharia should be the only law, while&nbsp;there is a six per cent decrease in the proportion of Pakistanis who say Sharia should not be the only law.

The survey was carried out recently. Around 1846 men and women took part in it, and they were from both rural and urban areas in all four provinces.

The margin of error in the survey was approximately &plusmn; 2-3 per cent at 95 per cent confidence level.

&nbsp;Pakistan population is equivalent to 2.62 per cent of the total world population and ranks sixth in list of countries (and dependencies) by population.

About 39.2 per cent of the population is urban while the median age in Pakistan is 22.7 years.

The Gilani Research Foundation is headed by Dr&nbsp;Ijaz Shafi Gilani, a pioneer in the field of opinion polling in Pakistan. He is also the Chairman of Gallup Pakistan.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Nearly 67 per cent of the Pakistani population supports the imposition of Sharia as the only law in a country where the median age is 22.7 years.

Nearly 67 per cent or two out of three Pakistanis support the imposition of Sharia as the only law of the land, showed a survey by Gallup Pakistan and the Gilani Research Foundation. The results of the survey show a more radicalised Pakistan as a similar survey carried out by the same agency seven years ago showed only 51 per cent of the people surveyed had said that the Sharia should be the only law applicable to their society. Today, only five per cent of those surveyed this year have said that they are not in favour of the Sharia being imposed on society. The Gallup Pakistan-Gilani Research Foundation survey said that they asked a nationally representative sample of men and women from all four provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtukhwa) what described their understanding of Sharia and its implementation in Pakistan, and 67 per cent said that the Sharia should be the only law, 24 per cent said that the Sharia should be the law, but not the only law (that is other legislation is also possible), while five per cent said Sharia should not be the law of the land, while four per cent said they had no opinion on the matter. In 2010, 51 per cent said Sharia should be the only law, 30 per cent said Sharia should not be the only law applicable, eight per cent said Sharia should not be the law of the land and 11 per cent said they had no opinion or view on the matter. If a comparison is done over the change in the mindset of Pakistanis, then the poll finds that there is a 16 percent increase in the proportion of Pakistanis who have become more radicalized and believe that Sharia should be the only law, while there is a six per cent decrease in the proportion of Pakistanis who say Sharia should not be the only law. The survey was carried out recently. Around 1846 men and women took part in it, and they were from both rural and urban areas in all four provinces. The margin of error in the survey was approximately ± 2-3 per cent at 95 per cent confidence level. Pakistan population is equivalent to 2.62 per cent of the total world population and ranks sixth in list of countries (and dependencies) by population. About 39.2 per cent of the population is urban while the median age in Pakistan is 22.7 years. The Gilani Research Foundation is headed by Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani, a pioneer in the field of opinion polling in Pakistan. He is also the Chairman of Gallup Pakistan. (ANI)

Two out of three Pakistanis favour Sharia: Survey

Condemning Saudi Arabia&#39;s legal practices, a UN human rights watchdog on Friday called on the Arab nation to end its &quot;severe&quot; discrimination against girls.&nbsp;

After reviewing the kingdom&#39;s record of compliance with a UN treaty protecting the rights of people under the age of 18, the body asked it repeal laws that allow the stoning, amputation, flogging and execution of children.&nbsp;

Children over 15 years are tried as adults and can be executed, &quot;after trials falling short of guarantees of due process and a fair trial&quot;, the report said.&nbsp;

The 18-member Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed deep concern that Riyadh &quot;still does not recognise girls as full subjects of rights and continues to severely discriminate (against) them in law and practice and to impose on them a system of male guardianship&quot;.

In response, leader of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, Bandar Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban said the kingdom had the political will to protect children&#39;s rights but the Islamic sharia law was above all laws and treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The experts pressed Saudi authorities to &quot;unambiguously prohibit the use of solitary confinement, life sentences on children and child attendance of public execution&quot;.

All forms of sexual abuse against children should be a crime and perpetrators prosecuted, the experts added.&nbsp;

They reported persistent discrimination against children of Shiite Muslim families and other religious minorities, deploring the use of traditional, religious and cultural attitudes to justify violations of their rights.&nbsp;

Out of 47 people executed on January 2, 2016 - the biggest mass execution for security offences in decades, that included a prominent Shiite cleric, at least four were under 18 when sentenced to death, it said.

The committee also condemned the Saudi-led coalition&#39;s air strikes in Yemen, which it said had killed and maimed hundreds of children, and its &quot;use of starvation&quot; as a tactic in that war against Iran-backed Houthis.

(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The experts said Riyadh 'still does not recognise girls as full subjects of rights and continues to severely discriminate them'

Condemning Saudi Arabia's legal practices, a UN human rights watchdog on Friday called on the Arab nation to end its "severe" discrimination against girls. After reviewing the kingdom's record of compliance with a UN treaty protecting the rights of people under the age of 18, the body asked it repeal laws that allow the stoning, amputation, flogging and execution of children. Children over 15 years are tried as adults and can be executed, "after trials falling short of guarantees of due process and a fair trial", the report said. The 18-member Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed deep concern that Riyadh "still does not recognise girls as full subjects of rights and continues to severely discriminate (against) them in law and practice and to impose on them a system of male guardianship". In response, leader of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, Bandar Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban said the kingdom had the political will to protect children's rights but the Islamic sharia law was above all laws and treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The experts pressed Saudi authorities to "unambiguously prohibit the use of solitary confinement, life sentences on children and child attendance of public execution". All forms of sexual abuse against children should be a crime and perpetrators prosecuted, the experts added. They reported persistent discrimination against children of Shiite Muslim families and other religious minorities, deploring the use of traditional, religious and cultural attitudes to justify violations of their rights. Out of 47 people executed on January 2, 2016 - the biggest mass execution for security offences in decades, that included a prominent Shiite cleric, at least four were under 18 when sentenced to death, it said. The committee also condemned the Saudi-led coalition's air strikes in Yemen, which it said had killed and maimed hundreds of children, and its "use of starvation" as a tactic in that war against Iran-backed Houthis. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

UN committee tells Saudi Arabia to repeal laws allowing child stonings, executions

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