Here is at least one group of Muslims who do not share the Archbishop's viewpoint.
Incidentally the British Jews have their own law which is recognised by the British state. However this has nothing to do with an eye for an eye.
PRESS RELEASE - 7th FEBRUARY 2007
BRITISH MUSLIMS FOR SECULAR DEMOCRACY (BMSD) REACTION OVER ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY'S VIEWS ABOUT INTRODUCTION OF SHARIA LAW IN BRITAIN
British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) disagrees with the comments made by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams suggesting that the incorporation of Sharia law in Britain is unavoidable. The assertions are based on untested presumptions.
Dr Williams' recommendations are not backed by any evidence that might indicate that the majority of British Muslims support the introduction of Sharia to settle civil disputes. Moreover, British Muslims are not a homogenous group. Diverse communities and individuals hold distinct views on religious practice, cultural and social customs based on their geographical and ethnic backgrounds and their evolving European identities. Therefore it would be difficult to even contemplate the idea of having a single set of laws applied to every Muslim, in order to govern their matters.
BMSD believes that the concept of parallel justice systems, different for various communities based on their religious beliefs is in effect a denial of the principles of gender equality and inclusion and shared citizenship. The western legal systems grant men and women equal rights under a single set of rules.
BMSD would like to point out that many aspects of the Sharia Law remain controversial and contested across the world and among Muslim scholars. Some Islamic jurisprudence experts promote Sharia rules that contravene the Human Rights Act and civil liberties guaranteed under the English laws, such as freedom of expression, rights of women in cases of divorce, inheritance and testimony in court.
Dr Shaaz Mahboob of BMSD said, "Dr Williams makes unacceptable generalisations about the collective will of Muslims and appears to be unaware that there is great dissent among Muslims about the validity applicability of Sharia. Setting up the of Sharia law as a parallel justice system for British Muslim communities this will not promote social cohesion and community relations. The establishment of any justice systems based on religious belief, cultural practices or social norms has the potential to further alienate communities from each other and to create concrete barriers which harm the social fabric of the society."
[End]
Notes to the editors:
1. BMSD is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.
2. BMSD's mission statement:
"To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain."
3. BMSD claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. BMSD founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.
4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.
5. For any further queries, please contact:
Dr Shaaz Mahboob on shaaz@bmsd.org.
Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui on drsiddiqui@talk21.
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Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/university_teachers_arrest.htm
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Daily Star publishes an interview with Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/news/daily_star/daily_star_MM.pdf
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MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.
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Mukto-Mona Celebrates 5th Anniversary
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/5_yrs_anniv/index.htm
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Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Earth_day2006/index.htm
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Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/kansat2006/members/
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MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
http://www.mukto-mona.com/project/Roumari/freedom_fighters_union300306.htm
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German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/german_radio/
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm
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VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/
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-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190
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