Sharia law 'unavoidable' in Britain: leader of Anglican church

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — The head of the Anglican church said Thursday the adoption of parts of sharia law in Britain looked "unavoidable", calling for "constructive accommodation" over issues like resolving marriage disputes.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, told BBC radio that people should approach Islamic law with an open mind, while stressing there was no place for "extreme punishments" and discrimination against women in Britain.

He conceded some people may be surprised by his comments but underlined the importance of making all communities in Britain "part of the public process" in order to limit any oppression.

The issue of Muslim integration has been particularly sensitive here since the 2005 bombings in London in which four young British Muslims...