Questions For The British People.

[AZardoz]

What the heck are you people arguing about?
// Sajid Javid, a Home Secretary who swore his oath of political office on the Koran. //
Seriously !? And this was OK ? There's nothing more to discuss.
Your country is seriously screwed ... but Canada is trying very hard to catch up.

[Rockrose]

Can you provide a link to your claim please.

[kvalidir]

It doesn't matter if he did. In court people swear on their Holy Book so why would this be any different, unless you are saying there is something fundamentally wrong with all Muslims of course, but then that would make you a xenophobe.

[AZardoz]

This is what I found:
https://jastatham.com/2018/05/02/sajid-javid-sworn-into-parliament-by-quran/
Is it not true?

[dannyk13]

AZ, Yes it is true, and quite in order for reasons stated by Kvalidir above.

[naomi24]

I have to wonder why a non-practising Muslim chooses to swear on the Koran.

[dannyk13]

For the same reason a non-practising Christian swears on the bible.

[sandyRoe]

How many non practising Christians swear on a bible?

[Rockrose]

Do you have any other links to a reputable news site other than a blog by someone who obviously has issues.

[Rockrose]

Sandy perhaps when they go to court - do you not swear then?

[naomi24]

danny, You think so? Hmmm... every Muslim knows that the Koran is not to be taken lightly.

[dannyk13]

Sandy, visit any court and you will see that many do.Non practising does not mean they are not Christians.

[dannyk13]

Naomi, Sajid Javid's position requires that he swears an oath.If not the Koran then what?

[hc4361]

Doesn't need to be a religious oath - an affirmation holds equal sway.

"I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm......

[hc4361]

This is the Parliamentary Affirmation:

I (name of Member) do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law.

[dannyk13]

hc, That oath is mainly used by atheists. Sajid Javid is Muslim.(practising or not)

[naomi24]

Danny, apparently an affirmation is acceptable. No holy book required.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32809040

[naomi24]

Sorry, hc, cross-posted.

[Spungle]

That's absolutely correct. All MP's must swear either an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of allegiance. This is done at the beginning of the Parliamentary session following the general election.

The text for an oath is:The current standard oath of allegiance is set out from the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 in the following form:

I, (Insert full name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

This is done holding the Holy Book of their own choice. I have witnessed this event many times and it is always interesting to see what is chosen. The person can choose a Holy Bible King James Version, an Old Testament (if they are a Jew), the Koran (which is kept inside a little bag) or some other religious texts. I have witnessed many non-Christians swear using the Bible, so it doesn't necessarily have to reflect the person's personal belief- sometimes it may be for other reasons such as tradition.

Alternatively, if the person is a secularist or atheist etc they can choose to simply affirm. The text is as follows: "I, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law."

I have witnessed several of the Welsh MP's swear in the welsh language, usually followed by the English. Likewise, some of the SNP's swore in Gaelic (no pun intended!) and I believe one in Cornish.

The Sinn Fein MP's who are voted into Parliament will not swear or affirm as they refuse to bear allegiance to the Queen. This is why Sinn Fein MP's are not allowed into the House of Commons Chamber.

[hc4361]

Just because a person is born in to a Muslim family and raised as a Muslim does not mean he still has faith. I know plenty of people who have left the faith and would not be comfortable swearing to a religious oath.

If a person describes himself as 'non-practising' he should not be swearing an oath on a holy book.

[Spungle]

I should have added that the new Government is sworn in first (in order of seniority starting the PM) and then the shadow cabinet (starting with the leader of the opposition). The remaining 600 or so MP's queue up before the Speaker and it normally takes about 3 days before everyone has been sworn in.