Fiyaz Mughal - Uncovering The Truth About Sharia Courts In Britain

Jan 11, 2026

Join Fiyaz Mughal, a counter-extremism campaigner and founder of Tell MAMA, as he dives deep into the complex world of Sharia councils in Britain. Fiyaz sheds light on the challenges these councils pose, particularly for women's rights, and argues for greater transparency and oversight. He discusses the evolution of British Islam, the rise of religious literalism, and the impact of community pressures on personal choices. Plus, hear about the growing trends in anti-Muslim hate and the vital work of Tell MAMA in combating discrimination.

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INSIGHT

Sharia Councils Aren't State Courts

Sharia councils are non-legally binding arbitration bodies dealing mostly with family and civil matters.
Fiyaz Mughal warns their influence can still shape community behaviour despite lacking legal force.

ADVICE

Mandate Registration And Oversight

Register and accredit Sharia arbitration bodies with annual vetting and oversight.
Deny public engagement rights to councils that refuse transparent standards, Fiyaz Mughal recommends.

INSIGHT

Transparency Gap Harms Rights

Ideally councils should disclose where religious arbitration conflicts with English law and present both perspectives.
In practice most lack legal obligation to do so, creating risks especially for women.

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In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with counter-extremism campaigner and founder of Tell MAMA, Fiyaz Mughal, for a wide-ranging conversation on Sharia councils, Islamism, integration, and the future of British multiculturalism.

We examine the reality of Sharia councils in Britain, how they operate, and why their lack of regulation raises serious concerns, particularly for women and their legal rights. Fiyaz explains the difference between non-binding religious arbitration and English civil law, and why greater transparency, oversight, and accreditation are urgently needed.

The discussion explores Islamism, religious literalism, and how parts of British Islam shifted after the 1980s, from a more culturally integrated faith to a harder and more ideological identity. We discuss migration, community clustering, social pressure, and why dissent within Muslim communities has increasingly been shut down.

We also address anti-Muslim hate in Britain, the work of Tell MAMA, the distinction between free speech and harassment, and how international events often drive domestic tensions. Fiyaz argues that Britain must defend its institutions, national values, and freedoms, while rejecting both Islamist extremism and racial hatred.

A serious and nuanced conversation about faith, identity, integration, and whether Britain can still articulate what it stands for in an age of moral relativism.

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WATCH FULL EXTEND CONVERSATION HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/winstonmarshall/p/uncovering-the-truth-about-sharia?r=18lfab&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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