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| Williams joins faith symbols row | Williams joins faith symbols row |
| (6 days later) | |
| The Archbishop of Canterbury has entered the Muslim veil debate by saying people should be free to wear visible religious symbols. | The Archbishop of Canterbury has entered the Muslim veil debate by saying people should be free to wear visible religious symbols. |
| Dr Rowan Williams said aiming for a society where no symbols such as veils, crosses, sidelocks or turbans would be seen was "politically dangerous". | Dr Rowan Williams said aiming for a society where no symbols such as veils, crosses, sidelocks or turbans would be seen was "politically dangerous". |
| It would treat the state as a "central licensing authority" which creates public morality, he told the Times. | It would treat the state as a "central licensing authority" which creates public morality, he told the Times. |
| In recent weeks many politicians have debated the veil's place in UK society. | In recent weeks many politicians have debated the veil's place in UK society. |
| Commons Leader Jack Straw began the row by disclosing that he asks Muslim women to remove the veil at constituency surgeries. | Commons Leader Jack Straw began the row by disclosing that he asks Muslim women to remove the veil at constituency surgeries. |
| Tony Blair agreed the veil was a "mark of separation", but Muslim groups complained they were being stigmatised. | Tony Blair agreed the veil was a "mark of separation", but Muslim groups complained they were being stigmatised. |
| There has also been debate about a Christian British Airways worker wearing a cross. | There has also been debate about a Christian British Airways worker wearing a cross. |
| Many Muslims do not realise that by reacting emotionally to the politicians they are alienating citizens Prof Tariq Ramadan | Many Muslims do not realise that by reacting emotionally to the politicians they are alienating citizens Prof Tariq Ramadan |
| Writing in the Times, Dr Williams said his recent return from a visit to China had had a "slightly surreal" feel. | Writing in the Times, Dr Williams said his recent return from a visit to China had had a "slightly surreal" feel. |
| He had arrived in the middle of "what felt like a general panic about the role of religion in society", he said. | He had arrived in the middle of "what felt like a general panic about the role of religion in society", he said. |
| He said that, until now, it had been taken for granted that the state is "not the source of morality and legitimacy", but a mediator between the country's different communities. | He said that, until now, it had been taken for granted that the state is "not the source of morality and legitimacy", but a mediator between the country's different communities. |
| "It is not secular in the sense of giving some kind of privilege to a non-religious or anti-religious set of commitments or policies," he wrote. | "It is not secular in the sense of giving some kind of privilege to a non-religious or anti-religious set of commitments or policies," he wrote. |
| But he expressed a fear that the UK could be moving towards this kind of secularism, "which would change our political culture more radically than we imagine". | But he expressed a fear that the UK could be moving towards this kind of secularism, "which would change our political culture more radically than we imagine". |
| 'Emotional' response | 'Emotional' response |
| His stance has been backed by other senior churchmen. | His stance has been backed by other senior churchmen. |
| The Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Tom Butler, said Dr Williams had provided a "helpful perspective". | The Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Tom Butler, said Dr Williams had provided a "helpful perspective". |
| "Religious symbols add to the richness of our society and we should not be too influenced by those who push such symbols to excess," he said. | "Religious symbols add to the richness of our society and we should not be too influenced by those who push such symbols to excess," he said. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Although an atheist, I support the peaceful expression of any faith Michael, Preston Send us your comments | |
| Meanwhile, Muslims have been urged not to react "emotionally" to controversial statements about the veil. | Meanwhile, Muslims have been urged not to react "emotionally" to controversial statements about the veil. |
| 'Political agendas' | 'Political agendas' |
| Prof Tariq Ramadan, a visiting professor at Oxford University who addressed an interfaith conference on Wednesday, said: "Many Muslims do not realise that by reacting emotionally to the politicians they are alienating citizens. | Prof Tariq Ramadan, a visiting professor at Oxford University who addressed an interfaith conference on Wednesday, said: "Many Muslims do not realise that by reacting emotionally to the politicians they are alienating citizens. |
| "This may be the way to a critical and intellectual approach with wisdom that is profound about the questions Muslim are facing." | "This may be the way to a critical and intellectual approach with wisdom that is profound about the questions Muslim are facing." |
| He said: "People made a calculated decision in raising this subject. | He said: "People made a calculated decision in raising this subject. |
| "Nevertheless we need to be careful that we do not get drawn into political agendas." | "Nevertheless we need to be careful that we do not get drawn into political agendas." |