Archbishop of Canterbury shocked by outcry over sharia law statement

The Archbishop of Canterbury is said to be shocked by the hostility to his call for parts of Sharia law to be used in the UK.

London, Feb.9 : The Archbishop of Canterbury is said to be shocked by the hostility to his call for parts of Sharia law to be used in the UK.

Friends of Dr Rowan Williams said he has been taken aback by the level of criticism from all main political parties and some senior Muslims after claiming the move "seems unavoidable".

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett waded in with criticism yesterday, saying it would be "catastrophic" for social cohesion.

According to The Mirror, Blunkett told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: "I think it is very dangerous because the Archbishop used the term affiliations.

Earlier, Dr. Williams is said to have hastily backtracked on his demand for the inclusion of some Sharia laws in the British legal system following vociferous protests from both Anglicans and Non-Anglicans.

Dr. Williams said that he had never called for a parallel jurisdiction of Sharia for Muslims.

According to The Times, weblogs and other sites have been overwhelmed by comments from the public, Anglicans and non-Anglicans, the vast majority being highly critical of Dr Williams and his apparent appeasement of Islamism.

The Prince of Wales, Britain's foremost champion of good relations with Islam, has distanced himself from the Archbishop's views.

Although the Queen is head of the Church, her spokeswoman declined to comment.

Alison Ruoff, a Synod member for London and a member of the Bishop of London's diocesan council, said: "He has done the Anglican Communion and the Church of England no favours. He should go."

Dr Peter Akinola, the Primate of Nigeria, where Christians are regularly persecuted by Muslims, called the remarks "most disturbing and most unfortunate".

Insiders are wondering if Dr Williams's moral authority has now been damaged beyond repair.

ANI