While the tabloids have gone haywire over Rowan Williams'
comments, it is more useful to look at what sharia should mean
in a modern context  The Archbishop of Canterbury is an
immensely intelligent and thoughtful figure. His comments
yesterday were his contribution to the difficult issues
surrounding community cohesion and how to quell the feeling of
alienation among some quarters of British Muslim communities so
they feel more a part of this country.  While the tabloids have
gone haywire it is important that we don't get carried away
here. The difficulty with the term sharia is that it is such a
broad notion which encapsulates both personal and public
matters. It is also open to such varied interpretations. I would
argue that the basic objectives of sharia (protection of life,
family, dignity, intellect and property) are all covered by
British law. The fundamental purpose of sharia is to achieve
justice. This country is more just than most. So what more
sharia do people want?  The aspects of sharia being co