Canterbury Archbishop Supports Shari`ah

Williams said Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".

"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," Williams told the BBC radio.

The spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans believes adopting parts of Shari`ah has become a necessity that could help social cohesion in Britain.

"It seems unavoidable," Williams said.

"As a matter of fact, certain conditions of Shari`ah are already recognized in our society and under our law, so it is not as if we are bringing in an alien and rival system."

Williams should recognize the fact that some of its citizens do not relate to its legal system.

"What we don't want either, is I think, a stand-off, where the law squares up to people's religious consciences," he explained.

The Archbishop suggested that Shari`ah should be introduced as an officially sanctioned legal alternative when it comes to issues concerning Muslims such as marriage and financial matters.

"There are ways of looking at marital dispute, for example, which provide an alternative to the divorce courts as we understand them. In some cultural and religious settings they would seem more appropriate."

Williams said Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".

Under English law, people may devise their own way to settle a dispute in front of an agreed third party as long as both sides agree to the process.

Shari`ah courts and the Jewish Beth Din, which already exist in the UK, come into this category, according to the BBC.

The country's main Beth Din at Finchley in north London oversees a wide range of cases including divorce settlements, contractual rows between traders and tenancy disputes.

Last year, a survey by the Policy Exchange think-tank showed that 59 percent of Britain's two million Muslims would prefer to live under British law, compared to 28 percent who would prefer to live under Shari`ah.

Opposition

The Archbishop of Canterbury's call was met with quick opposition from the government and the opposition.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said British law must be based on British values.

"The prime minister believes British law should apply in this country, based on British values."

He insisted the principles of Shari`ah should not be "included in a civil court for resolving contractual disputes."

"In general terms, if there are specific instances that can be looked at on a case-by-case basis, that is something we can look at."

The opposition Conservatives criticized the proposal.

"The Archbishop's comments are unhelpful and may add to the confusion that already exists in our communities," Tories shadow community cohesion minister Sayeeda Warsi, a Muslim, told BBC.

"But let's be absolutely clear. All British citizens must be subject to British laws developed through Parliament and the courts."

The Liberal Democrats also weighed in.

"Whilst having an enormous amount of respect for Rowan Williams, I cannot agree with his conclusions on this issue," said Lib Dems leader Nick Clegg.

"Equality before the law is part of the glue that binds our society together.

"We cannot have a situation where there is one law for one person and different laws for another."