The Courtroom
Imagine with me an ornate Middle Eastern courtroom - on one side stands the accused, a young man maybe 19yrs old and on the other side stands a sinister older man glaring at the accused. He claims that the young man has stolen his sheep and is calling for justice which under Sharia law means only one thing - off with the hand! In the center sits an ancient man draped in a thick black robe with gold embroidery. He waves his hand and beckons for the witnesses to step forward. First comes a neighbor of the young man dressed in the traditional white robes. Then up steps an old shepherd who has been out in the fields for as long as anyone can remember. Both of them declare that the accusation is false but in order for the young man to be cleared, by law there must be one more person. All eyes turn as a black shrouded figure starts to approach the front. This is Fatima, the accused man’s cousin and she is coming to attest to his innocence. As she approaches, the judge asks: “Is there someo