Sharia law in UK is ‘unavoidable’
The Archbishop of Canterbury says the adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK “seems unavoidable”.
Dr Rowan Williams told Radio 4’s World at One that the UK has to “face up to the fact” that some of its citizens do not relate to the British legal system.
Dr Williams argues that adopting parts of Islamic Sharia law would help maintain social cohesion.
For example, Muslims could choose to have marital disputes or financial matters dealt with in a Sharia court.
He says Muslims should not have to choose between “the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty”.
In an exclusive interview with BBC correspondent Christopher Landau, ahead of a lecture to lawyers in London later on Monday, Dr Williams argues this relies on Sharia law being better understood. At the moment, he says “sensational reporting of opinion polls” clouds the issue.
He stresses that “nobody in their right mind would want to see in this country the kind of inhumanity that’s sometimes been associated with the practice of the law in some Islamic states; the extreme punishments, the attitudes to women as well”.
But Dr Williams says the argument that “there’s one law for everybody… I think that’s a bit of a danger”.
“There’s a place for finding what would be a constructive accommodation with some aspects of Muslim law, as we already do with some other aspects of religious law.”
Dr Williams adds: “What we don’t want either, is I think, a stand-off, where the law squares up to people’s religious consciences.”
“We don’t either want a situation where, because there’s no way of legally monitoring what communities do… people do what they like in private in such a way that that becomes another way of intensifying oppression inside a community.”
Multiculturalism ‘divisive’
His comments are likely to fuel the debate over multiculturalism in the UK.
Last month, one of Dr William’s colleagues, the Bishop of Rochester, said that non-Muslims may find it hard to live or work in some areas of the UK.
The Right Reverend Dr Michael Nazir-Ali said there was “hostility” in some areas and described the government’s multicultural policies as divisive.
He said there had been a worldwide resurgence of Islamic extremism, leading to young people growing up alienated from the country they lived in.
He has since received death threats and has been placed under police protection.
Story from BBC NEWS
Published: 2008/02/07 13:51:16 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
I actually think that this is a good idea.
Like Dr Williams says, the more extreme aspects of Sharia law (for example, stoning adulterers to death) shouldnever even be considered, but there are some aspects that could be worked in to British law.
What do you think?
Will
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The adoption of certain aspects of Sharia Law in the UK for Muslims who choose to follow Sharia Law is NOT the same things as Sharia Law, whether in part or as a whole, being adopted INTO the UK law system. In other words, WIlliams is discussing the availability of having a Sharia Court open to Muslims; the UK courts would NOT be affected, there would just be alternatives for Muslims.
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The adoption of certain aspects of Sharia Law in the UK for Muslims who choose to follow Sharia Law is NOT the same things as Sharia Law, whether in part or as a whole, being adopted INTO the UK law system. In other words, WIlliams is discussing the availability of having a Sharia Court open to Muslims; the UK courts would NOT be affected, there would just be alternatives for Muslims.
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Except the UK courts would be affected. There would be cases that would normally be decided in the Sheriffs/County courts that would go to the Sharia court. And there would have to be legal mechanisms put into place for both parties to say that they want it dealt with in the Sharia court under Sharia law. Basically, what Williams was talking about is, in effect, devolution of certian matters, normally dealt with in court to Sharia court. Anyone who thinks that situation can happen without it affecting UK law/courts is, IMHO, being a little nieve.
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Except the UK courts would be affected. There would be cases that would normally be decided in the Sheriffs/County courts that would go to the Sharia court. And there would have to be legal mechanisms put into place for both parties to say that they want it dealt with in the Sharia court under Sharia law. Basically, what Williams was talking about is, in effect, devolution of certian matters, normally dealt with in court to Sharia court. Anyone who thinks that situation can happen without it affecting UK law/courts is, IMHO, being a little nieve.
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Democrats CHEER.
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Democrats CHEER.
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havent really read it properly, but i do think it would be a good idea, from what i thought about the bit i read 🙂 will read it after work. =) just noticed you used me on your front page!!!! yayyy! =D xxx
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havent really read it properly, but i do think it would be a good idea, from what i thought about the bit i read 🙂 will read it after work. =) just noticed you used me on your front page!!!! yayyy! =D xxx
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I don’t have a problem with it as long as it relates to civil disputes such as divorce or debt as highlighted above, and assuming it was regulated by an independent body and open to scrutiny. Downside is some clever politician will use it as a means to squeeze a few more tax dollars out of us and far right groups will use it as a rallying cry for division. Oh well be interesting to see how it pans out.
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I don’t have a problem with it as long as it relates to civil disputes such as divorce or debt as highlighted above, and assuming it was regulated by an independent body and open to scrutiny. Downside is some clever politician will use it as a means to squeeze a few more tax dollars out of us and far right groups will use it as a rallying cry for division. Oh well be interesting to see how it pans out.
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