Judges question use of Quran in taking oath

News & Record (Greensboro, NC) ^ | June 20, 2005 | Eric Collins, Staff Writer

[Zunt Toad]

GREENSBORO -- All Syidah Mateen wanted was to give Muslim witnesses the chance to be sworn in on the Quran before testifying in Guilford County courtrooms.

But an attempt by the Greensboro Islamic center to donate copies of the Muslim holy text last week sparked a legal debate that has left state court officials scrambling to decide whether to allow the practice.

Officials with the Administrative Office of the Courts in Raleigh are trying to come up with a statewide policy on the issue before news of the controversy sparks a large outcry, spokesman Dick Ellis said.

The AOC will pose the question to the state's judges as they confer this week at judicial conferences in Asheville and Wrightsville Beach, Ellis said.

"We'll take the input of the judges and bring it together and try to come up with an answer that pleases most people and follows the law," he said.

[skip_intro]

All Syidah Mateen wanted was to give Muslim witnesses the chance to be sworn in on the Quran before testifying in Guilford County courtrooms.

And from the very first sentance, the story's already loaded.

[j-damn]

Um, I thought the Koran tells it's cult members that it's okay to lie/blow up innocents/blow up your own children, so why would someone swearing on it make any difference?

[Cedar]

....sinking sand...

[joesnuffy]

Because it's another Muzzlem Camel getting it's nose
under the U.S.A.'s tent.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Wholly. Crap.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

introducing this writing into American courts when they are trying to stamp out Christianity really pisses me off!

[Zunt Toad]

And from the very first sentance, the story's already loaded.

You're right, the "[we'll] try to come up with an answer that pleases most people and follows the law,..."comment from the Bar says it all.

[Graybeard58]

Which book has racy tales of daughters seducing their father? What country swears people in on that book?

Who is a troll who just signed in today?

[Noachian]

"This is a diverse world, and everybody does not worship or believe the same," she said.

Apparently this "diverse world" only applies to the US. What would happen if a Christian wanted to swear on a bible in a middle eastern country where "everybody DOES worship and believe the same"?

When will our courts stop this double standard?

[skip_intro]

Because it's another Muzzlem Camel getting it's nose under the U.S.A.'s tent.

Do Wiccan's have a holy book?

How about Gaia worshippers?

Let's make it a free for all. Just bring whatever book you choose to court and pledge whatever comes to mind.

It's the new way in 21st century America.

[Guillermo]

And where did that book say it was OK?

In fact, that was condemned.

[Paul Atreides]

Who will be deemed worthy enough to touch/hold the book, while the person swears the oath upon it?

[bnelson44]

Muslems aren't suppose to be taking oaths.

[The Electrician]

Will they require that the infidel court clerks wear white gloves before handling it?

[Guillermo]

Boring...

Shouldn't you be over at DU bashing America, for being the Nazi state that it is?

[Graybeard58]

The troll is dead.

[Vision]

All Syidah Mateen wanted was to give Muslim witnesses the chance to be sworn in on the Quran before testifying in Guilford County courtrooms

Barbara Streisand, islam is a cult