Opinion ID: 1844465
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Religious Involvement.

Text: There has been a great deal of evidence presented throughout this dispute concerning the Muslim religion. This evidence was introduced in an attempt to establish a role for Islamic religious leaders (Islamic scholars) in the return of Mujahid to this jurisdiction. Before we examine the legal issues presented in this case, it will be necessary to determine the proper role in our decision making process for evidence concerning the Muslim religion. This court may not prescribe what shall be orthodox in any religion or religious culture. See West Virginia State Bd. of Educ. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 637, 63 S.Ct. 1178, 1187, 87 L.Ed. 1628, 1637 (1943); Lynch v. Uhlenhopp, 248 Iowa 68, 82-83, 78 N.W.2d 491, 500 (1956). It would be contrary to this legal standard to place this matter in the hands of Islamic scholars. While Ahmed has the ability to use his contacts in the religious community, we will not allow jurisdiction of this matter to be removed from this judicial system and given to a committee of Islamic scholars.