There is always room for reinterpretation in Sharia, but one reinterpretation does not speak for all of Sharia law.
She brought up a detail that attracts much negative stereotyping: stoning of a woman accused of adultery. First of all, this ruling does not come from the Qu'ran.
For this brand of punishment to be allowed, she said, there must be four individual witnesses. If there are fewer, than they are all charged with defamation.
When it came time for questions and answers, the press were granted priority. One reporter, extremely emotional, said that if Islam dispensed with Sharia, the religion would gain respect from all people.
Rev. Gaddy concluded the discussion by noting how full the room was. (When I first requested admission, I was put on a waiting list.) Gaddy said that our large numbers indicated what a yearning for information exists among the people.
"Continue to learn," he advised us.
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