THE MUSLIM Brotherhood has lent its support to the Archbishop of Canterbury, denouncing Dr Rowan Williams’ critics for his suggestion that Sharia law in Britain was “unavoidable.”The International Union for Muslim Scholars, led by Yousef al-Qaradawi, stated it “received with much surprise the fierce attack that has been launched against Dr Rowan Williams” for his lecture at the Temple Church on aspects of Sharia and British law.
The “attack” on Dr Williams comes “at a time when it is allowable for everyone to underrate the feelings and beliefs of others on the pretext of freedom of opinion,” the al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun, the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt’s theologians said.
It stated it “would like to remind the entire world that the Islamic state” had always “allowed all citizens, regardless of their religion, to practice their personal law” in conjunction with their religion.
The IUMS “acknowledges the Archbishop of Canterbury and commends his fair and free attitude,” and called upon the faithful to “draw the line on such backward attitudes that are being expressed against the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
On Feb 7 the Home Office refused to issue a visa to Qaradawi to visit Britain.
Last month Conservative Party leader David Cameron demanded Prime Minister Gordon Brown ban Qaradawi from visiting Britain, calling the cleric one of the “preachers of hate who should not be allowed into the country.”
In 2004 Qaradawi visited the UK at the invitation of London mayor Ken Livingstone sparking protests from rights activists over his comments about Jews and homosexuals. The Qatari-based cleric has also defended suicide attacks against Israelis telling the BBC “It's not suicide, it is martyrdom in the name of God."
Counterterrorism expert Douglas Farah noted it was not surprising the Muslim Brotherhood would embrace Dr Williams’ comments, as its publicly stated goal of a Muslim conquest of Europe “hinges on creating Muslim enclaves that are exempt from national laws and under Sharia law-then steadily expanding those areas.”
“This opening is exactly what the Muslim Brotherhood has been seeking for some time,” Farah wrote.
Dr Williams “ignorance” of their “strategy is clear. But it does not make what he said any less damaging.”
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