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Williams is said to be overwhelmed by the "hostility of the response" to his remarks. |
CAIRO — Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams has defended his call for the adoption of some Shari`ah aspects in Britain to resolve civil Muslim matters, saying his remarks were "well-researched."
"The Archbishop was not suggesting the introduction of parallel legal jurisdictions, but exploring ways in which reasonable accommodation might be made within existing arrangements for religious conscience," Williams said in a statement on his website.
His lecture and interview to the BBC on Thursday were a careful exploration of the limits of a "unitary and secular" legal system and how, in an increasingly diverse society, it might be able to accommodate religious claims, added the statement, which was posted late on Friday, February 8.
"In doing so, the Archbishop was not suggesting the introduction of parallel legal jurisdictions but exploring ways in which reasonable accommodation might be made within existing arrangements for religious conscience."
The statement said Williams was misunderstood and his remarks were in no way hasty but "well-researched."
"His lecture was well-researched and involved consultation with legal experts, especially people with knowledge and experience of Jewish and Islamic legal systems."
The Church of England's highest-ranking cleric has drawn heavy criticism since he acknowledged that the adoption of some parts of Shari`ah alongside Britain's legal system "seems unavoidable" in certain circumstances.
He said Shari`ah should be introduced as an officially sanctioned legal alternative when it comes to civil issues concerning Muslims such as marriage and financial matters such as inheritance.
The remarks have united all three main political parties, the media and some Muslim groups in opposition.
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| "The way he has been ridiculed, lampooned and treated by some people and indeed some of the media is quite disgraceful," said Lowe. |
The Archbishop has won support from some British Church leaders, who said critics might be getting the wrong end of the stick.
The Bishop of Hulme Stephen Lowe condemned the "kneejerk" response to Williams' call.
"We have probably one of the greatest and the brightest archbishops of Canterbury we have had for many a long day," Lowe told the Guardian on Saturday.
"He (Williams) is undoubtedly one of the finest minds of this nation," he added.
"The way he has been ridiculed, lampooned and treated by some people and indeed some of the media ... is quite disgraceful."
The Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Tom Butler, said Williams was entitled to raise the issue of Shari`ah.
"What has been explosive is that his examples have referred to Shari`ah law, which is an emotive concept in our society. He is saying these Shari`ah councils in some places already exist informally.
"It might be better to formalize them under British law, to make sure they do correspond to British law. But there are real practical difficulties," he said.
British Muslim leaders have cautiously welcomed Williams's call, saying the Archbishop's comments have been misunderstood.
They said the debate is getting out of control because people failed to understand that Williams meant the civil not the penal aspect of Shari`ah.
Williams' online clarification did not stop another slew of critical, front-page headlines Saturday, including at least two public calls for the 57-year-old former university theologian's resignation.
Much of the debate has been center on the potential for division between ethnic communities in Britain at a time when the government is trying to promote a more cohesive society based on shared values.
Friends of Williams told the BBC that he was in a state of shock and dismayed by the criticism.
They said Williams was overwhelmed by the "hostility of the response" to his remarks.
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