Former bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has criticized Britain's “naive” method to multiculturalism, which he says has led to a way of “isolation” and “separation” as an alternative of integration.
Nazir-Ali, who got here to Britain after fleeing persecution in Pakistan, stated that if Britain was to realize a extra united society, higher emphasis have to be positioned on shared values, historical past and traditions.
Recording The Telegraph within the aftermath of the riots, he argued that the violent riots have been partly attributable to present insurance policies that allowed communities to “keep and domesticate separate identities”.
“This has led to mutual isolation and as an alternative of mutual give and take and studying from one another, suspicion, concern and generally outright hostility,” he stated.
As a substitute, Britain should undertake a extra balanced immigration coverage that takes under consideration social cohesion, the “excessive unemployment” of some sections of the inhabitants and the capability of Britain's “creaking” infrastructure to soak up extra individuals.
Nazir-Ali, who was previously the Anglican Bishop of Rochester earlier than changing to Catholicism, stated the failure to cease individuals arriving illegally in small boats was a “important burden” on the British economic system and that the nation had “an obligation to contemplate the welfare of those that they’re already inside its borders”.
“We should proceed to fulfill our ethical and authorized obligations to those that are real refugees. However Britain can’t be seen as having a monopoly on accepting refugees, particularly these coming from secure international locations. We’d like a brand new worldwide settlement on international locations that settle for refugees,” he added. he wrote
On integration, he instructed that to realize actual social cohesion the inhabitants should have a “frequent reminiscence” and a “shared historical past” and that newcomers to Britain should have a “sympathy” for British traditions and values.
“If there may be to be any hope of sustaining and strengthening social cohesion, those that come right here to stay and work shouldn’t solely require some information of the English language, but additionally the historical past, beliefs and values which have formed British society. This may be strengthened as they put together for citizenship,” he stated.
“Data is one factor, sympathy is one other. We should always anticipate those that wish to stay right here to have sympathy for the nation's historical past, traditions and values.”
“Relatively than separateness fostered by multiculturalist approaches, authorities coverage ought to search greater than a typical language for social discourse. Housing coverage, faculties, group amenities and even increased schooling should actively keep away from the creation of ghettos and reward social mobility and the blending of various communities.” .”
He went on to say that extra must be finished to handle the wants of economically, educationally and socially disadvantaged indigenous Britons.
“There isn’t a 'white privilege' right here,” he argued.
“With out addressing their wants, we’re unlikely to be a self-balanced society.”
