Islam and English Law

Should England adopt shari'a law? Does Islam threaten British ideals? Lawyers, theologians and sociologists provide here a constructive, forward-looking dialogue.

This volume discusses Rowan Williams' lecture on shari'a law, which launched an interdisciplinary media debate on the relationship between Islam and Christianity, as well as church and state. Of considerable interest to students of law, religion, Islamic history and those interested in the ongoing debate about shari'a law.Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams triggered a storm of protest when he suggested that some accommodation between British law and Islam's shari'a law was 'inevitable'. His foundational lecture introduced a series of public discussions on Islam and English Law at the Royal Courts of Justice and the Temple Church in London. This volume combines developed versions of these discussions with new contributions. Theologians, lawyers and sociologists look back on developments since the Archbishop spoke and forwards along trajectories opened by the historic lecture. The contributors provide and advocate a forward-looking dialogue, asking how the rights of all citizens are honoured and their responsibilities met. Twenty specialists explore the evolution of English law, the implications of Islam, shari'a and jihad and the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, family law and freedom of speech. This book is for anyone interested in the interaction between religion and secular society.