Archbishop of Canterbury suggests adoption of Islamic laws in UK legal system

Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Cantebury, has said that there some British citizens, mostly Muslims, who do not relate to the British legal system, and therefore, he has suggested that adopting parts of Islamic law would maintain social cohesion across the country.

Stating that Muslims should not have to chose between "cultural loyalty and state loyalty," The Sun quoted Dr. Williams as saying further that the present legal system in Britain has the potential to fail, and therefore, steps should be taken to have a more uniform legal aid system in place to ensure equality in justice delivery systems.

Such a step, he said would bring the crime rate in Britain down, and also stop any talk of some citizens going their separate ways as far as applying the law is concerned.

"Why should those who already feel they are not part of society be pandered to? Why give them the green light to go their separate way? Sharia courts exist in Britain anyway. When Muslims get married they have the ceremony performed Islamically. When the marriage goes awry the divorce is sorted Islamically. The British legal system can fail — the law can be an ass," Dr. Williams said.

Citizens have welcomed the Archbishop’s comments, saying that they were based on good intentions, but warned that the road to that goal is fraught with problems.

Some said that the Archbishop’s comments run the risk of further alienating the Muslim community and causing resentment against the ‘special treatment’ they are receiving. (ANI)

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