Bishop stands firm on 'no-go' areas claims
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2008, 9:26 (GMT)
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, has held steadfast to controversial claims he made last month that Islamic extremism was turning parts of Britain into "no-go" areas for people of different faith.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph in January, the bishop challenged the Government on its multicultural policy, claiming that non-Muslims were finding it difficult to live or work in largely Muslim areas as a result of hostility.
Bishop Nazir-Ali also warned that Christianity was being eroded by a "multi-faith mish-mash" without "moral or spiritual vision".
His comments sparked fierce criticism from a number of political and religious leaders, whilst others commended the bishop for his courage in speaking up on a difficult issue they agree needs to be addressed.
In an interview with the same paper on Sunday, Bishop Nazir-Ali said he would not be silenced, despite the huge backlash, which included death threats to himself and his family.
"I believe people should not be prevented from speaking out," he says. "The issue had to be raised. There are times when Christian leaders have to speak out."
The Pakistan-born bishop was warned that he would not "live long" and would be "sorted out" if he continued to speak against Islam.
"If you disagree, that must be met by counter-arguments, not by trying to silence people. It was a threat not just to me, but to my family. I took it seriously, so did the police. It gave me sleepless nights."
Bishop Nazir-Ali, who remains under police protection with his family, went on to warn that unless Christianity fills the current "spiritual and moral vacuum" that has grown in Britian over the last 50 years Islam could its place.
"Do the British people really want to lose that rooting in the Christian faith that has given them everything they cherish - art, literature, architecture, institutions, the monarchy, their value system, their laws?" he asked.
He strongly rejected the recent assertion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, however, that British law should accommodate aspects of the Muslim legal framework, Sharia.
"People of every faith should be free within the law to follow what their spiritual leaders direct them to, but that's very different saying their structures should replace that of the English legal system because there would be conflicts," he told the Sunday Telegraph.
Copyright © 2009 Christian Today. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Sunday, May 4, 2008, 6:43 (BST)
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir Ali is a man of integrity and responsibility. His bold, outspoken and non-compromising statement is the need of time to bring the facts to open understanding and realization of todays world. We have allowed ourselves to let the water flow over our head and it is time that others in position of authority and responsibility OPEN UP THEIR EYES, acknowledge the reality and join hands with bold leader as Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir Ali.
Sabir Bashir, Dallas, TX - USA
Added: Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 9:00 (GMT)
I thank God he has raised up this man to speak out for God and christianity in this country may God keep him safe as he does so and may many people both christian and non christian rally behind him and support him.
susan, colchester
Added: Monday, February 25, 2008, 23:37 (GMT)
As a man, who understands the coming storm, I lift in Thankful Praise to God Almighty This Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali. Remember, he has personal experience having been raised near the deceit.
Lowell, Austin, TX-USA
Added: Monday, February 25, 2008, 15:14 (GMT)
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, is to be commended for his stance on the increasing call for the Islamisation of this country. He speaks out where politicians fear to, just in case they too have death threats made against them and their families.
However, they don't seem to love our once great country in the same way as the Bishop. It doesn't appear to be the ordinary Muslims who are the problem, but it is the hard line Islamists who are taking over mosque after mosque. In other words it is the so-called moderates who actually advise the government.
Wake up Church and country to the times in which we live, or will be too late very soon, because 'Trojan Horses' are already in place in some 'no-go' areas and there are many more being built around the country. We must stop kicking Almighty God out of this country and remember the blessings of our past, before it's too late. The current climate of appeasement from this government will achieve absolutely nothing and the dissaffected majority won't put up with it forever. My prayer is that our Almighty God will protect this bold Bishop and his family from these outrageous death threats and that those responsible will miraculously turn the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ to receive His forgiveness and love.
Our is a God of love and reconcilliation - not one of death and destruction like the god of these people!
Richard , Reading
