Inner City Clergy letter to the Birmingham Post following Bishop Nazir Ali's comment on there being 'no-go' areas in predominantly Muslim areas of our cities
Our Vicar the Revd John Self was one of a number of Birmingham clergy living in predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods who signed a letter to The Birmingham Post which was featured in two articles and an editorial (January 11).
Below is the original letter in full
No go areas? A View from some Birmingham Clergy
Writing as clergy living and working in a predominantly Muslim area of Birmingham, we would like to share some reflections on the debate, which we welcome, begun by the Bishop of Rochester's comments published last Sunday.
Firstly we want to affirm that in all of the predominantly Muslim areas of our city, there are Christian congregations committed to being present and engaging with their neighbourhoods in love and obedience to Jesus Christ. While we are increasingly self contained, we do not yet recognise the phrase, 'no-go areas' in the sense of neighbourhoods in which we as clergy feel unsafe to walk about in or to visit.
There have been incidents in which members of our congregations or others have been made to feel unwelcome, sometimes even with violence. However, these incidents are not, as far as we can tell, motivated by Islamic extremism. They are, rather, examples of anti social behaviour of a kind which unfortunately is growing in many areas of our country. Similarly, where elderly White people feel sometimes pressured to move or sell their homes, the motivation is not Islamic ideology but rather the desire of people to buy houses near to family and friends. We are very aware of other, predominantly White areas of the city in which Asian and Black people who we know have experienced racism and been made to feel unwelcome as well.
We also want to recognise the significant support that we receive as clergy from our Muslim neighbours, and especially many Islamic religious and civic leaders who value strongly our presence as worshipping Christian congregations. In some recent incidents, it has been Muslim friends in particular who have been on to the police to address the problems and bring the perpetrators to justice. On Good Friday, we hold and ecumenical 'Walk of Witness' around the area and talk with many local people as we are walking. The overwhelming reaction that we find is one of support and friendly encouragement. Sometimes Muslims tell us we should be out on the streets more often!
There is a real and urgent issue for our city of ethnic, religious and economic separation that has been noted by, for example, Trevor Philips. We are very concerned at the number of Christians as well as Sikhs and Hindus who are moving out of our neighbourhoods, which is the main reason that they are becoming increasingly Islamic in character. We, along with other religious and civic leaders are committed to working for neigbourhoods in which our children are able to grow up in genuinely mixed areas where there is a real commitment across the different communities. We also call on fellow Christians to consider prayerfully the challenge of moving back into our areas in humble, confident discipleship of our Lord Jesus Christ, who as we have been celebrating this Christmas, 'moved into our neighbourhood' out of love for all people.
The Revd Dr Toby Howarth, St Christopher, Springfield
The Revd Henriette Howarth St Christopher, Springfield
The Revd Peter Smith, Christchurch, Ward End. Area Dean Yardley and Bordesley Deanery
The Revd Lorraine Dickson, Deanery Missioner
The Revd John Self, St John, Sparkhill
Fr Barry Smart, All Saints, Small Heath
Revd Simon Cartwright, St Margaret, Ward End
Fr Allan Townsend, St Saviour, Saltley.
9th January 2008
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Sparkhill Community Leaders Statement
Sparkhill Community leaders statement
of 4th February 2007
Following the recent terror arrests mosque and church leaders, headteachers, councillors, police, traders, youth and community project workers met at St John's Church. Particular concern was expressed over the way the raids were conducted and the negative image that had been given of the area by the press coverage.
At the end of the meeting over 30 leaders signed the following statement and since then more have added their support.
"We stand united in our concern over the effects of the recent raids on premises and the arrests of alleged terrorists in the area.
Sparkhill has a tolerant and vibrant multicultural community, it is a great place to live, learn and do business in.
We are concerned that following these recent events an incomplete picture has been given of this locality where there is a great deal of good will between those from different cultural and faith backgrounds.
As local leaders we wish to affirm that we will seek to work for the common good of all local residents, that we will celebrate our diversity and resist those things that bring division."
