Archbishop defends remarks on Islamic law in Britain
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
LONDON, Feb 11 (washigtonpost.com): The spiritual leader of the global Anglican church Monday defended controversial remarks that Britain should consider formally recognising aspects of Islamic law, but conceded that his choice of words in broaching the issue may have been misleading.
Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, has been a fixture in the headlines here since comments last Thursday on a radio programme that integration of parts of Muslim law, or sharia, was "unavoidable." Later, in a lecture to the Royal Courts of Justice, he declared that a "constructive relationship between Islamic law and the statutory law of the United Kingdom" could be considered.
Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, has been a fixture in the headlines here since comments last Thursday on a radio programme that integration of parts of Muslim law, or sharia, was "unavoidable." Later, in a lecture to the Royal Courts of Justice, he declared that a "constructive relationship between Islamic law and the statutory law of the United Kingdom" could be considered.