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Joe Giltrap : Freedom of speech or fanning the flames?
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CHURCH of England Bishop has claimed that parts of Britain have in effect
been turned into no-go areas by Islamic extremists.
He says multi-culturalism has failed and blames the Government for undermining
the influence of Christianity.
It hardly needs to be said that his outspoken views have provoked a predictable
storm of protest from Muslim groups.
But is he correct and is he right to speak out like this?
Does it not in fact do more harm than good and simply serve to fan the
flames of unrest and confrontation?
We have to bear in mind the Bishop is coming from a certain religious
stance but, nevertheless, I take the view that free speech is one of the
things that underlines our democracy.
If he feels strongly enough then perhaps he has a duty to speak up because
his views are as valid as anyone else’s.
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali — who grew up in Pakistan — did not
pull his punches on the issue and in fact has received support from an
unexpected and unlikely source — namely Manzoor Moghal, the chairman
of the Muslim Forum.
He says that the Bishop is quite right in highlighting the dangers of
hardliners undermining harmony and promoting segregation.
He describes it as cultural apartheid fuelled by the determination of
some Muslims to cling to certain lifestyles that do not encourage integration.
I don’t accept that multi-culturalism is to blame. I think that
is much too convenient and smacks of political mutterings.
There is nothing wrong with different cultures living side by side and
retaining their traditions within the framework of the host country.
That is the key to it. If the rights and the laws of the host country
are respected then everything works around that.
That is the starting point. It does not matter which country it is.
I am fortunate enough to live in an area where I do not feel threatened
by any particular section of the community and I would like to hear from
somebody who does.
If you live in or on the outskirts of a huge city such as London then
you naturally come in contact with almost every nationality under the
sun.
This is one of the great joys of a big city and I have enjoyed the diversity
of cultures from day one.
We all have to live on this shrinking planet together but trying to force
any ideology on anybody is ultimately doomed to failure.
The tragedy is that unfortunately it sometimes takes a lot of grief, strewn
over a long and difficult circuitous route, before that message finally
hits home. |
