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Dr Amra Bone, a lecturer in Islamic Law and Islamic Studies, was grilled by Nick Robinson on the Today programme over multiple allegations Sharia councils support “extremists, condone wife-beating and ignore marital rape”. The academic claimed the councils were there to help people understand Islam and hit back at suggestions the Sharia code treats women as “second-class”. She told the BBC: “There is no doubt there have been issues and problems with some of the councils. But I think there have been a lot of false accusations thrown against the Sharia councils at the same time. “I can only talk from my own experience, that the Sharia councils, the majority were set up to help women to move on with their lives because that is exactly what they wanted.” When asked over suggestions women can be stopped from speaking during council hearings she said: “No that is not what I have experienced at all.

GETTY•BBC Dr Amra Bone, pictured right, has defended Sharia councils

“Women are given the opportunity just as much as men are. “The councils are there for them to speak.” She continued: “Women and men can approach the Sharia council to have their marriages dissolved. Should they wish to. “Women have chosen to practice Islam, to wear clothing they believe is modest. “There are all sorts of things the women have chosen and they have chosen to come to the Sharia council.” Dr Bone was then asked about a report from Dame Louise Casey, which said the growth of Sharia councils in Britain had increased division and segregation in communities.

GETTY Nick Robinson grilled Dr Bone on the issue of Sharia councils

BBC Dame Louise Casey was critical of the divisions in certain communities

Responding to Robinson on Today she said numerous social and economic factors were at play in divided communities and it was wrong to apportion the blame solely on the Sharia councils. She said: “People have chosen not to live in segregated areas. The population has increased. “We [Sharia councils] are there to help people understand Islam because they have not had the opportunity on the whole to learn about Islam.” Defending her report on Monday, Dame Casey said: “We have to be able to talk about the fact that if you’re from a Pakistani heritage community in some areas of the north, you’re less likely to speak English than your male counterparts, you’re less likely to be out getting a job, you’re more likely to be in the home, and not necessarily, in my view, by choice.”

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Women are given the opportunity just as much as men are Dr Amra Bone