Political Islam

There are 3.9 million Muslims in England and Wales – 6.5% of the population, up from 4.9% in 2011. The Pew Research Centre suggests this could reach between 12.7% and 17.2% in 2050, depending on migration.

As the Muslim population grows, so do political consequences. One councillor elected this year in Lancashire has called for “segregated areas, segregated gyms” to avoid “free mixing” in public. The new political party being formed by Jeremy Corbyn is likely to attract large numbers of Muslims because of Gaza.

Meanwhile, a government Working Group is examining an official definition of “Islamophobia”. Campaign groups Christian Concern and the Christian Institute have rightly raised concerns both about the suspiciously opaque process and the possible (even likely) outcomes. “The danger of the government adopting an Islamic blasphemy code is very real,” Christian Concern states.

The National Secular Society and Network of Sikh Organisations are among others alarmed. The Times has declared: “The government would be wise to halt its work on an Islamophobia definition. The danger to free speech is too great.”

We may understandably feel anxious. Colin Chapman, an evangelical expert, wrote a while ago that in relation to Islam, Christians are “often paralysed by fear, and want to have as little to do with Muslims as possible”.

Yet, he said, “a more healthy approach is to see Muslims not as people to be feared and resisted, but as neighbours to be loved (Matt.19v19;22v39),” (Cambridge Papers June 2007).

Whatever happens in relation to Islamophobia, this Christlike vision is one we must all retain.