Sajid Javid: What has the new home secretary said about faith?

Sajid Javid has been named as Amber Rudd's replacement at the Home Office making him the first ever BAME (Black And Minority Ethnic) home secretary.

Javid, the first home secretary to come from a Muslim background, has held several cabinet positions including culture secretary and business secretary before his current role as communities secretary. He was once tipped for greatness in the Tory party and ran on a joint leadership ticket with Stephen Crabb in 2016.

However he has failed to impress at the dispatch box and has been overlooked for a number of key roles.

Sajid Javid was first promoted to the cabinet under David Cameron is 2014 but has since failed to impress and rise up the ranks. This promotion, however, marks a shift in fortunes.Reuters

But this is a big promotion to one of the four traditional great offices of state and could reignite calls for him to be the UK's first BAME prime minister. As home secretary Javid will have responsibility for policing, counter-terrorism and immigration among a number of other key briefs.

He will also form part of Theresa May's 'war cabinet' – her inner circle discussing Brexit negotiations. Like Rudd, Javid backed Remain the 2016 referendum but was much more reluctant, admitting his 'heart' was for leaving.

The self-described son of a bus driver from Bristol was born to Pakistani immigrants in Britain and was raised in a Muslim family. However he has said he no longer practises the faith.

Here are four quotes from the new home secretary on religion and faith:

1. Launching a report on religion's impact on public life he said: 'Faith is undoubtedly a force for good.'

2. Describing his own background he said: 'My own family's heritage is Muslim. Myself and my four brothers were brought up to believe in God, but I do not practise any religion. My wife is a practising Christian and the only religion practised in my house is Christianity.

'I think we should recognise that Christianity is the religion of our country.'

3. Asked whether he reads the Quran he said: 'No, but how many people call themselves Christian and visit a church? God and Allah are the same thing.'

4. Javid takes a firm line with Islam's responsibility for terrorist attacks, saying it is 'lazy' and 'wrong' to suggest terror has nothing to do with Islam.

'All communities can do more to try and help deal with terrorists, try and help track them down. But I think it is absolutely fair to say that there is a special burden on Muslim communities because whether we like it or not these terrorists call themselves Muslims. It is no good for people to say they are not Muslims, that is what they call themselves. They do try to take what is a great peaceful religion and warp it for their own means.'

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