February 11, 2008
H. Eminence. Dr. Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury,
London- UK
I have read your statement regarding the adoption of some aspects of Islamic Sharia Law in Britain; and your calling for "constructive accommodation with some Muslim practices such as marital disputes".
Also I have read the statement of Mr. Gordon Brown's spokesman which said: "British law would be based on British values, and Sharia Law would be no justification for acting against national law".
It seems to me, that there is no contradiction between "constructive accommodation" and the values of any national law. On the contrary, I think it is a positive element when the cultural and religious values of any nation respond to the cultural diversity of the citizens and resolve the affairs of their life.
More than fourteen centuries ago, Islam adopted values and legislated rules to Christians and Jewish affairs and encouraged them to practice their religious values within the Muslim community. As the Holy Qur'an says:
v "But how do they come to you ( Mohammad ) for decision while they have the Torah in which is the Decision of God; yet even after that, they turn away. For they are not really believers." 5/43
v "Verily, we did send down the Torah therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to God's will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests for to them was entrusted the protection of God's Book, and they were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not humankind but fear Me and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what God has revealed, such are disbelievers".5/44
v "Let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed therein and whosoever dose not judge by what God has revealed are of the disobedient people to God." 5/47
v "And if only they had acted according to the Torah, the Gospel and what has been sent down to them from their Lord they would surely have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet. There are from among them people who are not the right course but many of them do evil deeds". 5/66
v "O people of the Scripture (Jews &Christians)! You have noting till you act according to the Torah, Gospel and what has been sent down to you from your Lord." 5/68
H. Eminence,
Verily, such as argument between religious and political leaders all over the world; shows that there is a gap of misunderstanding between them regarding common and noble ends in life.
Yes! I know there is a separation between religion and policy in the states' system in general; but life events emphasize that religion is the most affective factor in the building process of the individual's behavior. So, all the judicious leaders from the different cultures and religions insist that the relation between the political and religious values is unavoidable.
H. Eminence,
Personally and on behalf of the international Islamic Forum for Dialogue (IIFD) which represents more than one hundred Islamic organization all over the world it gives me pleasure to greet you and support your prudent approaches. We look forward to visiting you for consultation regarding the continuation of our common efforts with the Church of Canterbury in order to bridge the gap between the religious and political leaders through out the world.
Thank you and we are waiting to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Hamid Bin Ahmad Al-Rifaie,
President of IIFD