Archbishop of Cantebury faces calls to quit over Sharia row

London, Feb.9 : The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has hastily backtracked on his demand for the inclusion of some Sharia laws in the British legal system following vociferous protests from both Anglicans and Non-Anglicans.

Dr. Williams has now said that he had never called for a parallel jurisdiction of Sharia for Muslims.

According to The Times, weblogs and other sites have been overwhelmed by comments from the public, Anglicans and non-Anglicans, the vast majority being highly critical of Dr Williams and his apparent appeasement of Islamism.

The Prince of Wales, Britain's foremost champion of good relations with Islam, has distanced himself from the Archbishop's views.

Although the Queen is head of the Church, her spokeswoman declined to comment.

Alison Ruoff, a Synod member for London and a member of the Bishop of London's diocesan council, said: "He has done the Anglican Communion and the Church of England no favours. He should go."

Dr Peter Akinola, the Primate of Nigeria, where Christians are regularly persecuted by Muslims, called the remarks "most disturbing and most unfortunate".

Insiders are wondering if Dr Williams's moral authority has now been damaged beyond repair.

ANI