By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS
London : The British government has swiftly rejected suggestions by the country’s most senior church leader that the adoption of some aspects of Islamic Sharia law in Britain seems “unavoidable”.
“It seems unavoidable and, as a matter of fact, certain conditions of Sharia law are already recognised in our society and under our law, so it’s not as if we’re bringing in an alien and rival system,” Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, told BBC Radio Thursday.
Later, in a speech at the Royal Courts of Justice, he called for a “plural jurisdiction”.
But Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s spokesperson insisted British law would be based on “British values”.
“Our general position is that Sharia law cannot be used as a justification for committing breaches of English law, nor should the principles of Sharia law be included in a civil court for resolving contractual dispute,” Michael Ellam said.
“If there are specific instances like stamp duty, where changes can be made in a way that’s consistent with British law and British values, in a way to accommodate the values of fundamental Muslims, that is something the government would look at,” he added.
In his comments, Williams said Britain had to “face up to the fact” that many British citizens did not relate to the law of the land.
While opposing the extreme punishments associated with Sharia in some Islamic countries, he said an approach to law, which simply said “there’s one law for everybody and that’s all there is to be said, and anything else that commands your loyalty or allegiance is completely irrelevant in the processes of the courts – 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.”
Williams added: “What we don’t want either, is I think, a stand-off, where the law squares up to people’s religious consciences.”
The archbishop’s comments are taken seriously as he represents the Church of England, which for all practical purposes is the official religion of socially secular Britain.
Several cabinet ministers, senior figures from all political parties and race relations spokespersons criticised his remarks, with Culture Secretary (Minister) Andy Burnham declaring Sharia could lead to “social chaos” in Britain.
However, other commentators pointed out that some kinds of religious courts already exist in Britain – with the approval of the law.
Specific provisions of Islamic law have been brought into the housing mortgage market and as well as lending practices. In addition, informal Sharia courts are allowed to settle family disputes such as divorce.
And Orthodox Jews have long been allowed to settle civil disputes in their own courts that are recognised by the law of the land.
Nevertheless, opposition Conservative spokesperson Sayeeda Warsi said: “Freedom under the law allows respect for some religious practices. But let’s be absolutely clear: all British citizens must be subject to British laws developed through parliament and the courts.”