Friedensrichter, which is both singular and plural, is a compound word consisting of the German words "Frieden" (peace) and "Richter" (judge or judges), with the letter "s" being used to join them together. In Germany, Friedensrichter are judges who resolve disputes between Muslims according to Sharia (Arabic for "law"). Their decisions are not legally binding. There are concerns that the existence of an extrajudicial system like this leads to a parallel society with a parallel legal system. One present-day example of this is the dual system of law in Malaysia, which has a legal system that applies only to Muslims, the Syariah Court. Among its powers is the authority to order Sharia caning.
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