CHURCH LEADERS CLAIM LABOUR IS FAVOURING ISLAM
Archbishop Sentamu backs report
Monday July 13,2009
By David Pilditch
CHURCH leaders yesterday accused Labour’s politically correct Government of discriminating in favour of Muslims.
In a damning attack, senior clergymen claimed Christians are being starved of support while fortunes are ploughed into the Muslim community.
The Rt Rev Stephen Lowe, Bishop for Urban Life and Faith, warned: “It seems as if political correctness by Government may defeat us.”
A new Church of 
It argues that since the 7/7 London bombings in 2005, ministers have become preoccupied with tackling Islamic extremism at the expense of Christian groups.
The report – backed by the Archbishop of
Bishop Lowe, the report’s co-author, claimed the Government had become “unbalanced” in its approach to faith groups.
The report states that this has led to churches in poor parts of the country and urban communities coming under threat.
The dossier highlights a “great deal of inconsistency in the way individual [Government] ministers deal with religious groups”.
It continues: “Christian groups in particular have suffered irrational prejudice against their funding applications and a lack of understanding of the nature and sometimes fragility of the local church.
“There is a perception, perhaps justified, that it has been easier for Islamic groups to receive financial support than other faith groups.”
Bishop Lowe claims there have been numerous examples of local authorities inviting consultation with local faith groups and failing to include any Christians.
The report adds: “There can be little doubt that the terrorism agenda has seriously unbalanced government relationships with the faith communities.
“Ministers are left to pronounce from a position of ignorance at best, or prejudice at worst.
“Ministers and civil servants see their priorities focused on dealing with Islamic extremism.”
Bishop Lowe said the Church was committed to providing welfare to some of the most deprived and impoverished areas of the country.
Archbishop Sentamu said it was important that Bishop Lowe had “not been shy of saying things to the Government”.
Philip Giddings, chairman of the Church’s mission and public affairs division, also expressed concern over the Government’s attitude to faith groups.
He said: “We have a huge challenge in sharing our work and vision with political leaders who do not share the same values and faith.”
Last year the Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, sparked controversy after speaking out against Islamic extremists.
He accused fanatics of turning parts of Britain into no-go zones for non-Muslims.
Dr Nazir-Ali, Britain’s only Asian bishop, warned of pressure to introduce aspects of Islamic sharia law into British society.
The bishop, who later received death threats, also blamed Government sponsored multi-culturalism for spawning increasing separation between Muslims and other faiths.
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