Shari’a is a total system, not a pick n’ mix system and will remain so whatever misguided and misinformed political and religious leaders say. Shari’a is an alternative to civil law and not a supplement to it. Any moves to allow any form of Shari’a law in any form is a slippery slope and should be opposed by those who want to see the continuation of Western values in our legal system.

There are of course aspects of Shari’a law that have been accepted by the British legal system and legislation is urgently need to reverse this situation. Surely if you support Shari’a finance, you are also in my opinion also accepting the principle of Shari’a law. No form of Shari’a should be endorsed because it demonstrates a willingness to make concessions that will in my view eventually undermine, weaken and finally destroy our entire legal and political system.

There is no guarantee that the embryo of Shari’a in the form of Shari’a finance will not grow incrementally into full Shari’a. Until such a absolute guarantee is provide not concession what-so-ever in the direction of accepting any form of Shari’a should be considered.

While I am dismayed by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent support for Shari’a law I am even more dismayed by our politicians who have effectively created heresy laws to stifle criticism of religion If Islamic law forbids criticism of the so-called Prophet Mohammed then it is not for a Western state to endorse such prohibitions. Those that create laws and conventions that effectively do this are in my view contributing to the slow movement of Shari’a law into our legal system. Media codes that lead to self-censorship are also contributing to this.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has been heavily criticised by the media and by politicians, and rightfully so. However, those same politicians and media organisations have also contributed in a much more significant way to the gradual replacement of civil law with Shari’a law. They should take a good look at themselves before criticising others and take responsibility for their own misguided actions.