dcsh 2008-2-9 08:02 PM
Archbishop defends Sharia remarks
Archbishop defends Sharia remarks
[size=2] [table=203] [tr][td] [img=203,152]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44415000/jpg/_44415464_williams_pa203b.jpg[/img] Dr Rowan Williams is facing calls for his resignation
[/td][/tr] [/table] [b]The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his comments on Sharia law, following widespread criticism.[/b][/size][size=2]A statement on his website said that he "certainly didnot call for its introduction as some kind of parallel jurisdiction tothe civil law".[/size]
[size=2]However, at least two General Synod members have called for Dr Rowan Williams to resign following the row.[/size]
[size=2]Colonel Edward Armitstead told the Daily Telegraph: "I don't think he is the man for the job."[/size]
[size=2]Dr Williams had called for parts of Sharia law to berecognised in the UK, and he is said to be in a state of shock anddismayed by the criticism he has received from his own Church. [/size]
[size=2]Islamic Sharia law is a legal and social code designedto help Muslims live their daily lives, but it has proved controversialin the West for the extreme nature of some of its punishments.[/size]
[size=2] [table=208] [tr] [td=1,1,5][img=5,1]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif[/img][/td] [td] [img=24,13]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif[/img] [b]He is undoubtedly one of the finest minds of this nation[/b] [img=23,13]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif[/img]
Rt Rev Stephen Lowe
[/td] [/tr] [/table] [/size]
[size=2]Colonel Armitstead, a Synod member from the diocese ofBath and Wells, said Dr Williams should move to work in a universitysetting instead of leading the Anglican Church.[/size]
[size=2]"One wants to be charitable, but I sense that he wouldbe far happier in a university where he can kick around these sorts ofideas."[/size]
[size=2]Alison Ruoff, a Synod member from London, said: "Manypeople, huge numbers of people, would be greatly relieved [if heresigned] because he sits on the fence over all sorts of things and weneed strong, Christian, biblical leadership right now, as opposed tosomebody who huffs and puffs around and vacillates from one thing toanother. [/size]
[size=2]"He's a very able, a brilliant scholar as a man but interms of being a leader of the Christian community I think he'sactually at the moment a disaster."[/size]
[size=2][b]'Quite disgraceful'[/b][/size]
[size=2]Brigadier William Dobbie, a former Synod member, described the Archbishop as "a disaster, a tragic mistake".[/size]
[size=2]The statement on the Archbishop's website also said DrWilliams had pointed out that "as a matter of fact, certain provisionsof Sharia are already recognised in our society and under our law".[/size]
[size=2] [table=208] [tr] [td][img=5,1]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif[/img][/td] [td] SHARIA LAW
Sharia law is Islam's legal system
It is derived from the Koran and the life of the prophet Mohammed
Sharia rulings help Muslims understand how they should lead their lives
A formal legal ruling is called a fatwa
In the West, Sharia courts deal mainly with family and business issues
English law recognises religious courts as a means of arbitration
[img=203,1]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/inline_dashed_line.gif[/img]
[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7234870.stm][b]Q and A: Sharia law explained[/b][/url]
[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7235357.stm][b]Sharia law around the world[/b][/url]
[/td] [/tr] [/table] [/size]
[size=2]The statement said he was "exploring ways in whichreasonable accommodation might be made within existing arrangements forreligious conscience".[/size]
[size=2]It also said his principal aim was "to tease out some ofthe broader issues around the rights of religious groups within asecular state".[/size]
[size=2]The most senior woman priest in the Church of England,the Dean of Salisbury the Very Reverend June Osborne, said Dr Williamswas right to discuss Sharia law - despite it provoking controversy. [/size]
[size=2]"We can say he may have been politically naïve [but] I don't think he was. [/size]
[size=2]"Our society needs to be provoked into talking aboutthese things. I would say that all of the law of Britain has got towork within the very high standards of human rights and Christianprinciples."[/size]
[size=2]The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it was gratefulfor the Archbishop's "thoughtful intervention" on the discussion of theplace of Islam and Muslims in modern Britain.[/size]
[size=2]A spokesman said: "The MCB observes, with some sadness,the hysterical misrepresentations of his speech which serves only todrive a wedge between British people."[/size]
[size=2]The Bishop of Hulme, the Rt Rev Stephen Lowe, said he was dismayed at the "knee-jerk" reaction to Dr Williams' comments.[/size]
[size=2]"We have probably one of the greatest and the brightestArchbishops of Canterbury we have had for many a long day," he told BBCRadio 4.[/size]
[size=2]"He is undoubtedly one of the finest minds of this nation. [/size]
[size=2]"The way he has been ridiculed, lampooned and treated bysome people and indeed some of the media within this process, is quitedisgraceful."[/size]
