Islamic law "unavoidable," says Archbishop of Canterbury

Islamic law "unavoidable," says Archbishop of Canterbury

London, Feb. 7, 2008 (CWNews.com)

London, Feb. 07 (CWNews.com) - The Archbishop of Canterbury has raised eyebrows in England by telling the BBC that the introduction of Islamic shari'a law is "unavoidable" in Great Britain.

Archbishop Rowan Williams told a "World at One" radio broadcast that for the sake of peaceful coexistence in a diverse society, British lawmakers should come to some "accommodation with some aspects of Muslim law, as we already do with aspects of other kinds of religious law."

The top prelate in the Church of England explained that many Muslims living in Great Britain today are uneasy with the country's legal system and deeply devoted to their Islamic faith. For these people, he said, the adoption of some form of shari'a law could allow for a compromise between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty."

Dr. Williams pointed out the the country's legal system already recognizes "the internal law of religious communities" in other areas, such as in recognizing the claims of conscientious objectors. A similar approach could be applied to Islamic law regarding issues such as marriage and divorce, he said.

The Anglican archbishop made it clear that he thought Muslims living in Great Britain should have access to the secular courts to appeal decisions based on shari'a law and to ensure their legal rights.

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