The fact that this guy practised polygamy is one thing, but the fact that he LIED to this young lady by never telling her that he was already married and divorced umpteen times is another matter. He should be at the least jailed as a bigamist, whether he is muslim, christian, or hindu is irrevelant.

Debi, Leicester, uk

Women do have rights in Islam. Sûrah Al-Baqarâh. When a husband acts irresponsibly toward his wife, she is permitted to take matters into her own hands and file for divorce. The wife's right to ask for divorce does not have any time limit.

Saima Khan, London,

Rashid Jamil cannot be prosecuted for bigamy because the marriage was not legal under British law. As far as I'm aware, the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain operates in much the same way as the General Synod ( the parliament for the Church of England).

liz, Nuneaton,

You have in fact become a Muslim Nation. We are right behind you. Voting is not needed when a government is not held accountable. I wonder, will Iran be come Christian?

Liz, Del Rio,TX , USA

Catholics have a "church" court to deal with canon law. However, rulings here are binding only within the church itself - they are not binding in the secular world. Perhaps this is an option for Muslims?

Anna, Minnesota, USA,

The Kinks sang it right,,,,,,,,,"There's no England anymore".

What's wrong with the powers that be over there ??
How much are you people going to take ??
I watch and follow the great "giving in" in amazement.

Karl Childers, Tennessee, America

I agree with Guillermo when he says that 'We are seeing the end of England as a civilized nation, by allowing the de-construction of laws you are destroying England. Immigrants must respect and obey the laws of the host nation that takes them in'.
If we go to their lands, we would be made do same

Patricia Torres - Flynn, Staten Island, NY , USA

The Muslim Parliament of Great Britain. Is there also a Christian Parliament, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist Parliament. If not, WHY IS THERE ONE FOR MUSLIMS? The UK government now with Islamic sharia courts has clearly decided to become an Islamic country. Have the British people voted for this?

Linda Rivera , New York, USA

Also, if they ensure the marriages take place outside the UK muslims can bring in as many wives as they like and the state will provide housing and social security benefits for them and for all their children also. There was a fuss when this was put in place, but a week is a long time in politics.

Paul, Sutton, Surrey., England

The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women states polygamy discriminates against women, reduces them to concubinage, denies them any right to their "husband's" estate, and impoverishes them and their children. For these reasons it should be banned.

Jancis M. Andrews, Sechelt , Canada

Bob Murfreeboro comments show exactly why we are having many of the problems we have in the United States right now. When a person immigrates to a new country they have a strong reason for leaving their old country. They want a fresh start and that begins with leaving the old behind.

David Newman, Jefferson City, USA

Manny, I think Bob was being a touch sarcastic.

Larry, Houghton, MI, USA

How can anyone in Britain be shocked at polygamy when in this country there are so many divorces, broken homes, composite families, single parents, teenage mothers and a general breakdown of the traditional family unit.

Peter B, Lincoln,

Under British law it is only ILLEGAL to have 2 CIVIL marriages without divorce annuling one of them. The fact that the British law does not recognise the Islamic Nikah (marriage) as legally binding makes it LEGAL to have more than one wife, as it is exactly the same as being a common law wife!

Sahara, Manchester, UK

Why are polygamist marriages outlawed at all in Britain? This is part of their culture and religion. What about diversity and open mindedness? We westerners are very very racist, how dare we expect immigrants to abide by our laws and values. We should change our societies to suit them.

Bob, MURFREESBORO, USA

Well genious, he can be prosecuted for polygamy becase we live under the laws of The United Kingdom, not Sha'ria Law. He should be a man, face his punishment and Deal with it!! Or go to a country where Sha'ria is practiced. Dont make him the victim, when the girl was never told of the other woman.

Manny, Newcastle, UK

Bigamy is rarely punished by law in the UK, unless fraud and deception for monetary gain is also invoilved. The decision is entirely at the discretion of the D of PP.
Nonetheless contempt of Court is always available, and is , I suggest, appropriate if "Custom & Pratice" is pleaded by Muslims.

Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK

All immigrants should conform to the laws of UK. All immmigrants must be made to understand that if they wish to live in the UK they must abide by ALL laws and social customs. Proceedings should be brought against those who transgress ie self appointed religous leaders et al. with immeadiate effect.

MG, Northleach, UK

Screwthepcpolice is the only sane thing of any Westerner to think. The rule of law must take precedence over the Muslim law. What is wrong with you Brits. I am glad the Revolutionary War took place in 1776.

Gloria, Los Angeles, USA

If they want to practice polygamy let them. So long as the woman has the right to have more than one husband if she chooses. Although would any woman really want another headache?

Kris, Athens, USA

Immigrants should comply with the laws of a land. That is globally historical, and functional. If someone disagrees with a country's law, they ought to not to move to that land. That's freedom: freedom to live where you agree with the laws. If you don't like a country's law, stay in your country.

elliot, California, USA

The issue here is the legal protection women are entitled to under the law. Muslim women deserve the full protection of English law when they live in this country, are citizens of this country, or are married in this country. But polygamy is illegal and no exceptions should be allowed.

cw, Canterbury, UK

Polygamy, like female genital mutilation, the hijab and the burka, sequestration at home, the prohibition on forming relationships with men other than husbands and brothers, stonings to death for alleged adultery, is just another aspect of the oppression of women in Islam.

Kerry, Mannheim, Germany

We must accept our difference of culture and beliefs. Theses are these differences that are used to promote war, division etc amongst nations. There is no right or wrong. Just our own interpretation. If one does not imbrace a belief, one must change that religion. Understanding brings unity. Thanks

Michael Anderson, london,

Not one of the commentors had anything to say about the possibility of this being murder, not suicide. The article wasn't clear on this issue either. Hopefully, this possibility is being explored, or are they just going to sweep it under the carpet because it was just another useless woman?

Char, Palermo, CA, USA

We are seeing the end of England as a civilized nation, by allowing the de-construction of laws you are destroying England. Immigrants must respect and obey the laws of the host nation that takes them in

Guillermo, Toledo Ohio,

You think its against UK Law, but the Muslim already have their own laws (and morality which allows killing - jihad).

As the PC brigade says we (the majority) must adapt.

Richard, London,

All this man is doing is following the example of Mohammad. Mohammad married eleven women and had access to an array of sex slaves. These included the wives of men he killed in battle, his own daughter-in-law, and a six year old child.

Josh, Houston, TX, USA

This is one more wake up call to the whole western world - look at what is ahead - DIVISION - separate legal systems to placate a religious group that refuses where ever they go to assimiulate into the countries that open their arms and take them in - in the end they will FORCE YOU to SUBMIT to them

rm, pv, usa

All this anger is because it involves Islam. After all marriage as we know it today will soon become extinct in this country. If an Islamic ceremony is not recognized as a marriage under english law, you cannot even call this polygamy. After all adultery is not against the law. All this is hot air.

muhammad, Cambridgeshire,

I have read above all else about the apparent hypocracy within the Muslim faith. I'm a 60 year old Brit and I find the same true of Christianity; is it not so within all religions? People either adhere to their teachings or pervert the words as they wish. Man is the perpetrator, not the religion.

Baz, Lowestoft, uk

What exactly is the "Muslim Parliment of Great Britain"? I thought there was only one parliment

Bill, Tampa, USA

Isn't it all about lying, cheating, womanising and not about religion. does this not happen in other 'religions' ?

aejaz, salford,

I am an American Christian and we still have the "rule of law". The Mormons in our country do not have more than 1 wife. They tried back in the 1800's. But you see my name says it all.

Gloria, Los Angeles, USA

To the "outraged " commentators yes it is good to vent your supposed outrage at people who enter into multiple marriages. I do not hear you condemn european men who have wives and mistresses at the same time. What is the difference!

Jose, manchester, england

How can he be prosecuted for polygamy when Islamic Marriages are not recognised by British courts?
Mathieu from Dublin- Please read the Quran regarding polygmay in Islam before making false statments

Hasina Ahmed, Altrincham, UK

Why is everyone jumping on the "have a go at islam" bandwagon? If the guy has broken a law of the land, he's a criminal. Simple.

I bet we have criminal's from all religions in gaol, so why isn't everyone having a go at all the other religions too? Seems biased opinions to me!!

Pierre, London, England

Islamic "marriage" ceremonies in Britain do not normally include a legal registration of the marriage. It follows that the couple are not actually married at all, and therefore the arrangement cannot be bigamous. Nor has the woman much protection if they split up. That's their choice.

Alan Ereira, London, UK

Polygamous activities are more prevalent amongst Pakistani Mustims than anywhere in the Indian subcontinent. It must be stamped out once for all. As a Muslim, I am ashamed of it.

Dr A Rahman, Altrincham, Manchester, U K

UK law must take precedent over any 'local custom'. If people want a change to the law of this country, they must campaign democratically for that change. This is bigamy, pure and simple and should be treated as such

Simon Addinsell, London, England

Islamic law says man can take more than 1 wife only if he can provide and will treat them equally.
Trend in Saudi is one wife.
Culture is changing.

Suggest UK makes clear to all Muslim communities
polygamy illegal, not accepted.

Non Mulsim must accept local laws when in Muslim country.

Leigh Vernier, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

the tradition arose because many men were killed in wars and Mohammad said that men should take care of the widows and families by marrying them It has lasted for hundreds of years and there is no justification for it today and it is just a licence for to be bigamous It is not beneficial to women

bill, ely,

The Mnuslim Parliament of Great Britain indeed!!. Is this in preparation for the day when they takr the country over?

Brian P O Cinneide, eThekwini, Afrika Borwa

There is no marriage in England unless the legal requirements for a civil ceremony are complied with. It looks to me as if this unfortunate lady did not use the law that already exists to protect herself.

John Stobart, Oakham,

"Ahmad Thomson, a barrister and founder of the Association of Muslim Lawyers, said that polygamous marriages could work in Britain if all parties were open and in agreement."

Forgive me, but no, they cannot. It's against the law in Britain, you see. That means for Muslims too.

Clare, Manchester,

It is unfair for anyone to give views on a religion without having knowledge of the actual religious stance. We Muslims are advised to move to places in the world where Islam can be practiced in its designed environment without hindrance to the non-muslim public.

Mutasim, Luton, United Kingdom

These people are breaking the law of the country they were born in/choose to live in - no ifs, no buts, it's illegal.

End of story.

Alex, London,

Mr Jamil should be charged with bigamy if nothing worse, and then deported after serving his sentence.

Mike, Paris, France

To be honest this is a story of a scoundrel and a fool. The man was a scoundrel, obviously moving from woman to woman as he tired of them, and the girl was a fool. She was an Afghan, doesn't she know her own culture? How long had she lived in Britain?

Sue R, London, Middlesex

Look at it in the context of something more important "Moslem Votes".
Neither the cowards in Labour or the Conservatives would dare to take a principled stand here.
There are after all votes at stake.
Remember folks soon we will be living in a country like Pakistan/Saudi what Joy !!

Vijay Gupta, Southall, UK

The man is a bigamist and should be charged with bigamy, which is illegal in this country,
and from where does "Muslim Parliament of Great Britain" come? they are getting a bit above themselves with such a title

Clive, Swansea, Wales

As Tacitus once said: "The Germanic people (the British among them) are the only race that take comfort in having only a single woman and stay with her forever."
Muslim, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mongols, even Russian had mistresses, concubines, many wives, and prostititution was like a weekly bath

Steward, Manchester, England

Is bigamy still a crime in the UK ? If yes, then all those found guilty should be charged and punished.
Oh, I thought not.Suddenly it's not as simple as that.All about respecting other peoples' culture etc.and not rocking the old multi-cultural boat.Funny how our culture never gets respected.

Mike, Dunstable, England

Clearly, Rashid Jamil should now be prosecuted for bigamy.

Paulina Smid, London, UK

This is a pure case of fraud, and should be treated both as a criminal and civil matter. The push for multi-cultralism should not be given precedence over the laws of the land. The courts should convict any party engaged in this fraud including the so called clerics.

Omid Moghadam, Lake Oswego, OR, USA

Clerics must be stopped from performing marriage ceromonies for a person who is already married, regardless of what their faith allows UK law must take precedent.

Les, Southport, England

Hypocracy of the highest level, to enjoy and use the laws & benefits of Britains legal social protection, then turn round to blame it on illiterate clerics. So called Muslim leaders in UK pay li pservice when anything contraversial is raised. Law work only when supported by all. Labour MPS Note.

alexander, Victoria., Seychelles

Zia Ur Rehman, the whole problem with Islam is not what it is but what those who can't even read or write think it says. I wonder where it says that one has to slit throats ! However the prophet did show the example for what islam thinks of women marrying a 4 or 7 year old I have forgotten which age

E.Beal, Toulouse, France

Yet again irrespective of the religion in question, it is the woman who is the victim.It underlines the extreme hypocracy underlying Islam that under any circumstances a man is allowed to marry 4 woman. Its a pathetic denial of womens equality and an abject failure to acknowledge a womans sexuality.

Mathieu, Dublin, Ireland

In India, polygamy among Muslims is allowed because under Muslim Personal Laws which no government has ever collected the guts to repeal for fear of losing the Muslim vote. This is what we call vote bank politics and I am sure the British are suffering the syndrome too.

joy, Delhi, India

Polygamy in islam is exception and not general rule. It is permitted in extraordinary circumstances subject to strict restrictions and standards.But in practice by some of muslims , these restrictions and tough standards are not paid any attention..so violators b blamed not Islam.

ZIA UR REHMAN, London, UK

I find this blatant disregard of UK law extremely offensive. If people want to reside in Britain they abide by our laws, and respect our culture. If not go and live somewhere else where this behaviour is tolerated and accepted. Not here.

Roberto, Wolverhampton, UK

The bottom line is that polygamy is illegal here. These women are legally unprotected so it must be against their human rights. The Muslim Institute's marriage contract will merely make the practice appear legal. All that is needed is government will to stop clerics performing these marriages.

Lin, London, UK