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 cost of war
As these words are written in March, the situation in the Middle East is fast evolving and unpredictable. By the …