The Bishop of Barking has spoken out against the continued profiling of Asians in Britain, warning that it will only lead to further tension among Muslims in British society.
The bishop, the Rt Rev David Hawkins, also urged Muslim leaders to encourage disillusioned Islamic extremists to pursue their desire for change through legitimate political means rather than through destructive acts of terrorism.
“I think that if security at airports and transport centres does become observably targeted towards Muslims that will in time become a real issue of anger,” warned Bishop Hawkins in The Church of England Newspaper.
He added that the situation could soon be “a difficult thing to manage,” but acknowledged that at this present time such specific searches were advisable.
Bishop Hawkins urged the full and mutual cooperation of Muslim communities if such searches are to continue.
“Decisions to do targeted searches and heighten security among young Muslims should be discussed very, very carefully with Muslim leaders at every level,” he said. “If the police are to do the job effectively then they simply have to do a certain amount of security checks.”
But the bishop also had strong words for the Muslim community. He urged leaders to encourage their youth to “look to political structures both locally and nationally and to engage with them” instead of pursuing violent and destructive means.
Gained from his close dialogue with Muslims he related how much variance there was between Muslim groups. “There are more informed and more engaging Muslims who realise there has been a robust involvement with the Muslim community by the government,” he said.
“On the other hand, it’s those who are less engaged, who seem to have that ‘bitter victim’ mentality and that is the case with some of these young radicalised Muslims.”
The bishop also suggested that British Muslims should involve their women in society more as the public views them as the more tolerant and moderate voice of Islam. By appointing women to important positions in education and welfare this aim could be achieved, he suggested.
Bishop Hawkins intends to continue his dialogue with the Muslim communities in Barking and encourages other Christians and faith leaders to strive for peace and justice. “These qualities are the foundation stones of all of our faiths’ traditions,” he said.
“At a time of anxiety and suspicion like this, we must stand ever closer together upon these deep and sure foundations. We stand against and condemn all acts of terrorism and all that incites violence, racism, and hatred between peoples from wherever that comes.”