Bishop responds to Muslim ‘no-go areas’ backlash
The Bishop of Rochester regrets offence to Muslims but warns that "mere tolerance" is not enough to overcome "separation" in multi-faith communities.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 12:47 (GMT)
The Bishop of Rochester has issued a statement offering clarification on the remarks he made that Islamic extremism was turning some parts of Britain into “no-go areas” for people of different faiths.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph last weekend, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali warned that the resurgence of Islamic extremism around the world was turning “already separate communities into "no-go areas” and that “hostility” in some parts was making it difficult for non-Muslims trying to live or work there.
The reaction to the Bishop’s statement has been mixed. Prime Minister Gordon Brown rejected Bishop Nazir-Ali’s assertion that Britain’s Christian heritage was being eroded as a result of the Government’s multi-cultural agenda.
"I know that there are pressures in many areas of the country but I don't accept that there are or should be no-go areas in any part of the country,” he said at his first Downing Street news conference of the year on Tuesday.
"I do believe that Britain's Christian heritage which underlies the establishment of the church is an absolutely critical and essential part of the fabric of our national life.”
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the idea of no-go areas was "a gross caricature of reality", while Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague told Sky News the bishop had "probably put it too strongly".
Other Church of England bishops have rallied behind Bishop Nazir-Ali, however, including the Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev John Goddard, whose diocese is home to a large Muslim population.
In his defence of the Bishop of Rochester, Bishop Goddard warned of anxiety among Christians living in areas where they are outnumbered by Muslims caused by fears that their views may be misinterpreted.
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Added: Thursday, January 17, 2008, 14:30 (GMT)
im a scotsman .
my wife is carribean,born in uk .children mixed .
there are no go areas .
muslims have been threatening the young go to the mosque or you will be stabbed .
people hide behind their race ,colour ,sexuality ,culture ,religion .
any critcism your are a racist .
im sick of it people all humans should be judged by their behaviour attitude and values .
all to quick people scream islamaphobia or this ism or that .
three choices to all young no exceptions ,two years military service ,two eco service or two social service .
build a community out of the so many peoples that have rushed into this small over crowded island or we are all doomed .
the rich in their leafy suburbs and second and third homes are blind to what is going on .
the indigenous brits feel alienated in their own country .
the estb pander too minorities well hows about the long suffering majority .
wake up or are we going to sit on our hands till it kicks of all over the uk ,well are we ??
rab, uk
Added: Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 14:58 (GMT)
Too much true, even in London they are some markets you "cristians" will not go as the welcome is cold.
I wonder if they even speak English.
Something very wrong somewhere.
The bishop is right to point to these getthos, and the answer is ridiculous and childish to say he's racist or whatever. It's exactly the same answer you had from black people or gay people or any else minority when they had to say something to make them like martyr.
Boldo, Tooting - United Kingdom
