German Judge Tells Battered Muslim Wife: Koran Says 'Men Are in Charge of Women'

My lovely wife (maybe she's trying to tell me something?) alerted me to this AP article (here) about a German judge's rejection of a Muslim woman's request for an expedited divorce is raising interesting questions about multiculturalism and Muslim fundamentalism. Some interesting snippets from the article:

While the Koranic verse cited does say that husbands are allowed to beat their wives if they are disobedient, Germany's Institute for Islamic Questions noted that such an interpretation was no longer standard.

"Of course not all Muslims use violence against their wives," the group said in a statement.

. . . .

The latest uproar comes amid an ongoing debate in Germany about integrating its more than 3 million Muslims, most of them from Turkey.

. . . .

Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries condemned the judge's decision. . . .

Lawmakers from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats said traditional Islamic law, or Sharia, had no place in Germany.

"The legal and moral concepts of Sharia have nothing to do with German jurisprudence," Wolfgang Bosbach, a lawmaker with the Christian Democrats, told N24 television.

"One thing must be clear: In Germany, only German law applies. Period."

Ronald Pofalla, the party's general secretary, told Bild: "When the Koran is put above the German constitution, I can only say: Good night, Germany."

Indeed.