08 Feb 2008 - The Muslim Council of Britain is
grateful for the thoughtful intervention of the
Archbishop of Canterbury on the discussion of the
place of Islam and Muslims in Britain today.
The MCB observes, with some sadness, the hysterical
misrepresentations of his speech which serves only
to drive a wedge between British people.
"The Archbishop is not advocating implementation of
the Islamic penal system in Britain. His
recommendation is confined to the civil system of
Shariah Law and that only in accordance with English
law and agreeable to established notions of human
rights', said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary
General of the MCB.
British Muslims are not calling for creation of
different legal systems, nor is the Archbishop. We
do not wish to see a parallel system or a separate
system of judiciary for Muslims. The Archbishop
sought in his speech to explore the possibilities of
an accommodation between English law and some
aspects of Islamic personal law.
British Muslims would wish to seek parity with other
faiths in particular the followers of the Jewish
faith in the United Kingdom in facilitating choices
for those who wish,
as Muslims, for their personal relationships to be
governed by a Shariah civil code. This legitimate
aspiration requires full discussion in an atmosphere
of understanding and tolerance. It is worthy of note
that already enshrined in English law are provisions
for Islamic Shariah compliant finance which have
become very popular and now enable billions of
pounds of fresh investment to come into the UK.
'Our common mission to live in cohesion and harmony
is better served when men of conscience and
authority speak out for justice and equal
opportunity. Silence is much more likely to engender
prejudice, injustice and inequality. On the issue of
giving individuals choice of law but only in private
and personal matters, we call, as does the
Archbishop, for a mature debate in an environment
that reflects mutual respect.' said Dr Bari.
For further information please contact the MCB:
The Muslim Council of Britain, PO Box 57330, London,
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786 Fax: 0207 247 7079 media@mcb.org.uk
