Charles Ware is a principal in the Columbia, Maryland-based national general law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counsellors. The firm is well-known for its highly successful legal representation of culturally diverse clients.
Attorney Charles Ware has represented clients from virtually all major cultural groups and religious races, creeds, beliefs and nationalities. He has served as the attorney for Catholic priests, Jewish rabbis, Muslim imams, Evangelical pastors, Baptist ministers, et al.
In sum, he is well-qualified to speak on this important subject of "Working Effectively With Muslim Clients."
For Attorney's to work effectively with (practicing) Muslim clients, it is important to understand, inter alia:
1. "Muslim" should not be confused with "Arab". A Muslim is a person who follows the religion of Islam, and he or she can be of any race. Arab refers to a race of people. In fact, an Arab can choose to be of any religion or belief system, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, atheism, or any faith.
2. The Laws of Islam (The Islamic Shariah).
Shariah is the divine code of practice which guides a Muslim in all affairs of his/her life. It is divided into two categories: Ebadat (system of worship), and Muamalat (system of dealing).
Shariah law does not control within the jurisdiction of the United States. An attorney is well-advised to make sure his or her Muslim client understands this basic fact. Shariah law is very different from America's fundamental common-law (and in a few jurisdictions such as Louisiana, the [civil law] Napoleonic Code).
The attorney is well-advised to be clear with the Muslim client precisely what the applicable law is for the legal matter being handled.
3. With wisdom being the better part of valor, it is probably best that the attorney not voluntarily make references to "Jihad" nor "Holy War" when communicating with his or her Muslim client.
In Islam Jihad does not mean "Holy War". And is not a declaration of war against other religions and certainly not against Christians and Jews, as some people want it to be perceived. Jihad literally means "striving, struggling or exerting more effort than usual for the betterment of one's self and the community at large." It has an internal, societal dimension.
[www.islamicbulletin.com; www.differencebetween.net; Understanding the Law: A Primer, Charles Jerome Ware, iUniverse (2008)]
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