As Tim McGirk reports in "The Sword of Islam," Pakistan's Prime Minister has undertaken a campaign to adopt Shari'a, or strict Islamic law, in his country. While many nations in South Asia have substantial Muslim populations, only a handful observe Shari'a in legal and state matters. Use the map above and the questions below to help gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between law and religion throughout the Muslim world.

Comprehension and Analysis

1. Using a colored pencil, shade the following Muslim nations on the map above: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Tajikstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan. Indicate your shading method in the map key.

2. Locate Pakistan and Iran on the map. Of the two countries, which is governed today by strict Islamic law? In which country is a bill pending to impose Shari'a?

3. How is Shari'a applied in more moderate Muslim countries? Is the strict application of Shari'a the exception or the rule in the Muslim world as represented on this map?

4. What voices quoted in the article favor adoption of Shari'a in Pakistan? What voices oppose it? What reasons do supporters and opponents of Shari'a cite to defend their positions?

5. If Shari'a is adopted, how is life in Pakistan likely to change as a result?

6. What is the writer's point of view on Shari'a? Cite specific lines from the article to support your answer.

Application and Investigation

Research the application of Islamic law in another Muslim country on the map. Look into its government and legal system. What role do religious clerics play in its governance? To what extent are this nation's laws derived from Shari'a? Is there a movement within this country to impose stricter Islamic law? Share your findings with classmates.

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