EGN NEWS DESK
Former bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has criticised Britain’s “naïve” strategy to multiculturalism, which he mentioned has led to a way of “isolation” and “separateness” as an alternative of integration.
Nazir-Ali, who got here to Britain after fleeing persecution in Pakistan, mentioned that there have to be a larger emphasis on shared values, historical past, and traditions if Britain desires to attain a extra unified society.
Writing in The Telegraph within the wake of the riots, he argued that the violent unrest was brought about partially by present insurance policies which have allowed communities “to keep up and nurture separate identities”.
“This led to isolation from each other and, as an alternative of mutual give-and-take and studying from each other, to suspicion, concern and typically downright hostility,” he mentioned.
Instead, Britain should undertake a extra balanced immigration coverage that takes into consideration social cohesion, “excessive worklessness” in some sections of the inhabitants, and the capability of Britain’s “creaking” infrastructure to soak up extra folks.
Nazir-Ali, who was previously the Anglican Bishop of Rochester earlier than changing to Catholicism, mentioned that the failure to cease folks arriving illegally in small boats has been “a big drain” on Britain’s financial system and that the nation has the “responsibility to contemplate the well-being of these already inside its borders”.
“We should proceed to fulfil our ethical and authorized obligations to those that are real refugees. But Britain can’t be seen to have a monopoly on receiving refugees, particularly these coming from protected international locations. We want a brand new worldwide settlement on nations accommodating refugees,” he wrote.
Turning to integration, he recommended that with a view to obtain true social cohesion, the inhabitants will need to have a “widespread reminiscence” and “shared historical past”, and that new arrivals to Britain will need to have “sympathy” for British traditions and values.
“If there’s to be any hope of sustaining and enhancing social cohesion, these coming right here to reside and work ought to be required not solely to have some information of the English language but additionally of the historical past, beliefs and values which have shaped British society. This will be strengthened as they put together for citizenship,” he mentioned.
“Knowledge is one factor, sympathy is one other. We ought to anticipate these eager to reside right here to have sympathy for the nation’s historical past, traditions and values.
“Rather than the separateness inspired by multiculturalist approaches, authorities coverage ought to search greater than only a widespread language for social discourse. Housing coverage, faculties, group amenities and even larger training should all actively keep away from ghettoisation and reward social mobility and the blending of various communities.”
He went on to say that extra have to be achieved to deal with the wants of economically, educationally and socially disadvantaged indigenous Brits.
“There is not any ‘white privilege’ right here,” he argued.
“Without addressing their wants, it’s unlikely that we’ll be a society relaxed with itself.”
