What occurs in the UK usually follows in canada. The issue of Sharia Law has already been touted in Canada, with a resounding "NO"...at least so far. I do expect Islamic groups to continue to push for their own laws,however.

I wonder if any westerner recently has visited Turkey or Saudi Arabia with a view to spreading "Christian Laws" among the Islamic masses of those countries?

Can you guess what the resulting back-lash would be?

Colin, Victoria, British Columbia,Canada

Baroness Warsi, said:

"All British citizens must be subject ot British laws developed through Parliament and the courts."

I think she should have said:

"Whilst in Great Britain all individuals, organisations, religeous or political, must be subject ot British laws developed through Parliament and the courts."

If Sharia law is ever accepted as part of British law, I for one would leave these isles permanently. I would not subjugate myself or my family to laws created to oppress and control the population through religeous intolerance.

Any immigrant who wish to live in the Great Britain should accept and adopt our way of life and not force us to adopt theirs.

Nick Adie, Hastings, East Sussex

The Archbishop of Canterbury must have been elected to this very high and eminent post for his thelogical wisdom and knowledge and for his foresight to address secular issues and contemporary problems in society.

Surely we must respect his proposal and calculated judgment before condemning him to the gallows. No body is pointing a gun to his head.
At least he is brave enough to introduce changes to the law, which incidentally, is man made and not immune to decay. He obviously cares for the society that he is part of, and perhaps according to him drastic changes are needed to make this country (and this world) a safer and better place.
He has opened up the doors of dialogue; surely that cannot be a bad thing. And judging by the response (both negative and positive) shows that other people are deeply concerned and at least, if nothing else, people will be better informed about the Islamic Law and why Muslims react in the way that they do.

Arshad ahmedi, Stevenage, u

mehr, you're free to believe what you want in this country, but stop trying to patronise the people who welcome you and allowed you to follow your religion here. We accept diversity, but don't confuse open mindedness with stupidity. Muslim are not the repositories of truth. Until you understand that religion will always be a cause of conflicts, instead of bringing people together. Really, if you like the sharia you're more than welcome to go to saudi arabia

gino, london, uk

It seems Dr Williams has shown the right path from ALLAH the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, and Dr Wiliam began to understand that Islam got the solution for the problems of west. This is not the first time that Arch bishop came under fierce attacks from government, church etc, anyone who'll speak about Islam he'll certainly face criticism. Have u ever tried 2 understand Islam properly? I'm asking this question 4m those people who are criticizing Dr Williams bcoz he's favouring Sharia law. Shariah Law has been given to humankind by THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE bcoz only ALLAH(GOD) knows best that which law is best for ITS creation. I pray to GOD that HE'll show right path to all of us , that path which leeds to HEAVEN and not let us walk on the path that leeds to hell. May ALLAH bless Dr Williams and give him strenght to walk on the path of truth.

Mehr, london, united kingdom

There is nothing wrong with what Rowan william said but what worry me is the reaction from media and others.These is actualy not muslims faults that someone politely raised a topic for discussion .I think we need help cause we first have to listen and understand what he said before making any judgement. If these is what happen when muslims issues is raised please consult us cause everyone else can fight for their rights but we cannot ? is that fair or what. Islam is way of life for most muslims so those who choose to live and follow english law 100% it their choice while they are here. But for majority the best options is to migrate to where islam is implemented in issues that are important like marriage etc.

Hussein, London, England

I have visited the Archbishop's website to read this speech and it is an eminently thoughtful one, identifying a number of the difficulties which pundits have accused him of ignoring. He was talking about the inability or unwillingness of our society (or those with positions in the media?) to give space to those who have a particular religious viewpoint. I think the shrill thoughtlessness of those comments have proved him right. Please read it yourself before you pillory him:- http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1301

Alison Jenner, Swansea, UK

No, no, no, no, no. Williams is wrong, wrong for the job and must go. Wake up Britain/Europe or you will wake up too late. How many Christian Churches are in Saudi Arabia? Answer: none because Christianity is illegal. I am not suggesting that we adopt such ignorant measures but there are certain aspects of British life that are simply not up for discussion and the legal system is the first.

Andrew Mills, London,

The vast majority of the British nation do not feel the need to embrace Sharia law .When the minority impose their will on the majority that is fascism

John, Rotherham,

I have just heard the trailer for the programme tonight about Socrates and am struck at how like Socrates Rowan Williams is.-and just as unacceptable to conventional thinkers. He overestimates the intelligence of his hearers. I don't want Sharia law but value the debate. God bless Rowan Williams.

Kalyani Menon, Hereford, Herefordshire

As a supporter of hope not hate and the campaign to harrass and muzzle the BNP. I find the backlash to the Arch bishop's very forward looking comments disturbing. With "Mohammed" now the most popular new born boy's name in Britain and over 40,000 Muslims spouses entering Britain each year, I feel we should embrace the inevitable positive transformation of Britain. What would the generation who fought fascism in this country now feel if they could see us behaving like the most reactionary of fascists to an opportunity to take Britain forward in looking at ways of reflecting in our legislature and constitution the allegiances of our new and growing population? British culture has always been a changing entity and it's time some people stopped their whinging and defacto support for reactionary groups like the BNP "seeking to preserve a "mythical" Christian and enlightenment based British culture" and realised this.

Chris, Brighton, England

Read "While Europe Slept" . The problem is a real one.

Douglas Ward, Grover Beach, USA, California

The Archbishop of Canterbury should not have come out with such a comment, we DO NOT want those kind of happenings in this country!!! In my opinion he should be forced to resign immediatly.

T Coles, leicester, england

As a Muslim I wonder whether Muslim Scholars accross the globe can collate a single collection of Shariah Laws that is fit for this age and promote the true spirit of Islam like it used to be in the Prophet's (peace be unon him) time!!!

I am not a scholar in Islam and I do admit my limitations (May Allah foregive me for this) but I can only see trouble and deeper division among the citizens of this country by allowing Shariah for the Muslims.

Why can't we see what's happening in Shariah based countries?? Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan!!! Despite of my utter intention to be a good Muslim, I do not believe that the current version of Shariah starting from state affairs all the way to individual affairs can be beneficial even for Muslims. It is rather better to promote greater understanding of the holy scripture and the Prophets (peace be uon him) life to be good Muslims, who can then support a scholarly community to collate the Shariah laws fit for this age.

Osama S M Khan, Guildford, United Kingdom

While I think most people who have read the transcript of Rowan Williams speech will agree that he has been misinterpretted, he still should not have said what he did. In the tabloid culture of soundbites it was inevitable that he was represented in the manner in which he was and, at a time when the future of the anglican communion is in the balance, Dr. Williams comments will simply be impossible to deal with by many of the Bishops in Africa who are involved in very tricky interfaith relations with muslims in their countries.
At the same time the governments reaction was also inappropriate, since Sharia law is not perceived by many muslims as the stereotypes many people associate with it, to come out as fiercely as they did in denying any accomodation of Sharia in Britain, many muslim people are simply going to feel isolated. While the government may not have meant to appear on the brink of islamophobic, I fear for many muslims they have, and faith relations take another step back.

Stuart, Cambridge,

There has been many great and reassuring words written in response to the ABC but his main point about the "inevitability" of aspects of sharia has not.

It may have crossed your mind that we are not the democracy we used to be, large chunks of power have been exported and reassigned to faceless bureaucrat's and judges. Through a process of administrative practices and court rulings the position that the ABC envisages could well come about, whatever you I or the great and good think about it.

This is the path we have chosen, I cannot say the ABC is wrong, if I felt we are in charge of our destiny I would love to laugh out loud at the ABC, I only have a cold feeling of unease.

Sean Morris, Sheffield, UK

"Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra: "I welcome debate on this issue but my personal feeling is that the vast majority of Muslims do not want to see a parallel or separate system for Muslims in our society."

Here's an idea: why don't you go further and express thanks and gratitude for the law of British society that Muslims have enjoyed for one generation, that is infinitely more advanced, evolved and civil than Sharia.

Ooh, scary idea eh Mr Mogra, that secular society is better than Islam?

Joe, Manchester,

You ve all got it wrong, the guy's a GENIUS, with all the uproar that came from his speech ... all those government funded mullah organisations (and do you know how many there are!!)wont even dream of thinking of asking about sharia law. If they hate it here so much ... i m sure they can claim asylum in Saudia Arabia

Mark, Glasgow, UK

If they want to start somewhere why not adopt Sharia Welfare Benefits? They are more than welcome to opt out of the British Welfare Benefit system and I can't imagine that there would be a word of protest about that.

Penny, London,

Muslims must be able to feel at home here in the UK-that it is there country where they practice their religion.
that does not mean allowing 'foreign' laws wqhich will do untold harm in the relationship between Muslims and others.

mike cassidy, oxford, england

If Beyond the Fringe had added something like this to its religion sketches, I suspect most people would have said "No, that's just too silly to be convincing satire."

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

We have often been told "think before you speak" and it looks as though the Archbishop has not done that very fully. There are those in Islam who want all gays and Christians killed, but we don't do that in the UK. Many Muslims are in fear of their leaders if they want to marry someone other than the person chosen by their parents. Sadly, some have lost their lives even here.

Peter Waring, Rushden, England