Shari'a in the West: An Analysis of Changing Perceptions of Islamic Law

Author: Leila El-Khatib

"Shari'a [law], viewed in contemporary terms, is associated with barbaric physical punishments and public executions. Whereas, the western concept of physical punishment has become hidden (capital punishment is a private execution). I shall use Foucault's discourse on discipline and punishment to aid in the analysis of this transformation."