Britons 'benefit a great deal' from Sharia law, says British Home Secretary Theresa May

British Home Secretary Theresa May believes that many Britons benefit from Sharia law as she launches a probe that will investigate whether the British law is being bent for the sake of Sharia ideas.

"Many British people of different faiths follow religious codes and practices, and benefit a great deal from the guidance they offer," said May.

May emphasized that the investigation will only look at how the Islamic law is "misused or exploited." She also said it's a significant concern how a number of women have reported discriminatory decisions by Sharia courts. She assured that the country recognizes only one rule of law for the rights and security of its citizens.

"It will not be a review of the totality of Sharia law, which is a source of guidance for many Muslims in the UK," Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon reassured Muslims, in a statement announcing the review.

According to Express, many Britons reacted negatively and took to social media to lambast May's controversial comment.

"My reservation is that it won't get to the root of the problem...a lot of Muslim women I know say that the men in their communities just laugh at this proposed investigation, that they will go underground, so the investigation will have to be very robust," Baroness Cox told The Telegraph.

Cox also said that she believes in freedom of religion and that some aspects of Sharia law are unproblematic while citing those that she deems "unacceptable" and not just "distortions" of the law.

The inquiry will look into cases of divorce, domestic violence, and child custody to investigate instances of discrimination against women. It is expected to last up to 18 months and will be chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui, an expert in Islamic theology. It will also include a panel of experts such as retired high court judge Sir Mark Hedley, leading barristers, and two leading imams.