Do More to Convert UK Muslims: Bishop IslamOnline.net & Newspapers
CAIRO — A senior Church of England bishop has accused church leaders of failing to do enough to convert British Muslims to Christianity out of fear of a backlash, reported the Daily Mail on Sunday, May 25.
"I think it may have gone too far and what we need now is to recover our nerve," Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester in southeast England, said a day earlier.
He claimed that church leaders were shying away from converting Muslims as part of efforts to welcome ethnic minorities.
"Our nation is rooted in the Christian faith, and that is the basis for welcoming people of other faiths," he said.
"You cannot have an honest conversation on the basis of fudge." Pakistan-born Nazir-Ali, the Church's only Asian bishop whose father had converted from Islam to Christianity, is infamous for his repetitive attacks on Britain's Muslims, estimated at nearly two million. In January, he accused British Muslims of turning some parts of Britain into "no-go" areas for people of other religions.
Amid wide condemnations from across the political spectrum, the government immediate refused his claims of no-go areas for non-Muslims. Nazir-Ali had earlier claimed that a "radical Islam" was being taught in mosque schools and asked the government to restrict overseas Muslim scholars.
Contrary to his argument, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced during recent visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh plans to invite Asian imams to help fight extremism.
Motion
Some members of the General Synod, the Church's "parliament," share the passion of Nazir-Ali, who in 2002 was tipped to become Archbishop of Canterbury before Dr Rowan Williams took over from Dr George Carey.
They are forcing the highly sensitive issue of converting British Muslims on the agenda of the July meeting.
Paul Eddy, a General Synod member, is sponsoring a motion calling on bishops to clarify their strategy on conversion of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs or followers of other religions.
He accuses many bishops of downplaying the Church's missionary role, insisting that converting adherents of other faiths had always been a Biblical injunction on Christians.
Eddy claims that by "allowing the rise of another religion in our country, all that Britain stands for is up for grabs."
But he admits to having received angry emails and telephone calls from opponents, including four bishops, leaning on him to drop his controversial campaign.
The new controversy coincides with recent warning by Christian groups that the number of mosque-goers will overtake that of church-goers by 2050.
Many Muslims believe such reports are meant to intimidate the public, and particularly Christians, by depicting Muslims and their faith as a threat to the Church and Christianity in Britain.
--
Comments:
If Christians in Europe think Muslims should not be left alone to live in peace among them and try to force Muslims to assimilate and/or convert to Christianity, then Muslims should reconsider how to deal with Christians in Arab and other Muslim state!
There are millions of Christians in the Arab World alone: in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Tunis, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, etc. living in peace and even hold ministerial and high positions in government as well as economic advantage over Muslims in all Muslim states.
Egypt had Christian foreign ministers. The president of Nigeria is Christian. The president of Indonesia is Christian. Now, the vice President of Sudan is Christian. This is not counting Christians in lower positions of governments and in Parliaments of Islamic States!
How many Muslims hold any governmental positions in Europe, the U.S., Canada or Australia? Muslims cannot even build a masjid or school without city council approvals and public as well as court hearings. Two days ago in Australia, a city council hearing denied Muslims to build a Quraanic school on a rural land they bought.
How many times I have said that the worst of our enemies are living among us! Arab Christians as well as so-called Muslim converts to Christianity are the worst enemies of Islaam. In fact, Arab Christians are the Fifth Column and the Horse of Troy in our midst. Remember what the Phalangist Christians did in Lebanon? Remember Sabra and Shatila?
Two Christian preachers were stopped from handing out Bible extracts by police because they were in a Muslim area, it was claimed yesterday.
They say they were told by a Muslim police community support officer that they could not preach there and that attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity was a hate crime.
The community officer is also said to have told the two men: 'You have been warned. If you come back here and get beat up, well, you have been warned.'
A police constable who was present during the incident in the Alum Rock area of Birmingham is also alleged to have told the preachers not to return to the district.
It comes amid growing concern over the development of Islamic 'no-go areas'.
The preachers, Americans Arthur Cunningham and Joseph Abraham, are demanding an apology and compensation from West Midlands Police.
They say their treatment breaks the Human Rights Act, which guarantees freedom of religious expression.
The preachers, who have the backing of the Christian Institute pressure group, say they will take the force to court for breaching their human rights if they don't receive an apology.
They have accused the officer, PCSO Naeem Naguthney, of behaving in an 'aggressive and threatening' manner. A complaint by their lawyers said he interrupted as they spoke to Muslim youths about their beliefs.
Mr Abraham, 65, who was born a Muslim in Egypt and is a convert to Christianity, said: 'He told us we were trying to convert Muslims to Christianity and that that was a hate crime.
'He was very intimidating and it concerns me that somebody holding his views can become a police officer, albeit at PCSO level.'
Mr Cunningham, 48, a fellow American Baptist missionary, said: 'He realised we were Americans and then started ranting at us about George Bush and American foreign policy.
'He said we were in a Muslim area and were not allowed to spread our Christian message. He said he was going to take us to the police station.'
Mr Cunningham added: 'I am dumfounded that the police seem so nonchalant. They seem content not to make it clear that what we were doing was perfectly legal. This is a free country and to suggest we were guilty of a hate crime for spreading God's word is outrageous.'
According to a complaint by the men's lawyers, Mr Naguthney summoned two other officers in support, one of whom, a full constable, is said to have told the men not to return to the area.
Mr Naguthney, 30, was recruited as a community support officer last year after being unemployed for eight months.
Earlier this year, he had a prominent role at a conference to launch the West Midlands branch of the National Association of Muslim Police. He gave a reading from the Koran before the audience heard a recorded contribution from Gordon Brown, a speech from Home Office Minister Tony McNulty, and contributions from several chief constables.
Mr Naguthney declined to discuss the row.
His brother, Nadeem, said: 'Naeem is a community man, that is why he joined the police.'
The Alum Rock area was at the heart of a terrorism inquiry last year, which ended with the conviction of local resident Parviz Khan for plotting to kidnap and behead a British soldier.
A senior Church of England bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Nazir-Ali, warned recently that it is hard for non-Muslims to live and work in some areas where radicals and clerics are trying to impose an Islamic character.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said an investigation into the complaint had concluded that the PCSO had acted 'with the best of intentions' when he 'intervened to diffuse a heated argument between two groups of men'.
A statement added: 'Following this investigation, the PCSO has been offered guidance about what constitutes a hate crime and advice on communication style.'
Well obviously it is not a hate crime, are police are wrong.
Why do the British police always support the Muslims?
-
Can you prove to us that British police ALWAYS supports Muslims? Have you forgotten the incident few months back of how they broke in to a Muslim house at middle of the night looking for "suspects" and wrongfully shot two innocent teenagers? i'm sure you can find that thread on here.
I don't think Muslims want to go back to the dark ages that is christianity... nothing really to worry about.. the bishop et al. should focus on the rise of atheists in their back yard before getting too ambitious!
Muslims cannot even build a masjid or school without city council approvals and public as well as court hearings
Erm.. neither can anybody else. You can't just buy land and put a school up without planning permission, consultations, enquiries and all the rest of it. It's just how the system works.
I feel very sorry for British Society, they opened up their doors to all manner of peoples from their colonies and, despite warnings by Enoch Powell in the 1960's, did not wake up to the error of their ways until March 2004. Now what do they do;they are all scared so lots are migrating to safer countries, but why should they. They offered people freedom of thought and expression and got fundamentalist hardliners instead. A very salutary lesson for which the evidence is on world news bulletins almost daily. Anyone want to offer a solution for the improved safety of the good citizens of Great Britain or do we just let them suffer in their self imposed sin of non belief.
Are you troubled by strange noises at dawn? Do you experience feelings of dread in your subway train or shopping mall? Have you or your family actually seen a Muslim, Arab or terrorist? If the answer is yes, then don't wait another minute. Just pick up the phone and call the professionals -- Beardbusters.
Our courteous and efficient staff is on call 24 hours a day to serve all your religious discrimination needs.
are You Troubled By Strange Noises At Dawn? Do You Experience Feelings Of Dread In Your Subway Train Or Shopping Mall? Have You Or Your Family Actually Seen A Muslim, Arab Or Terrorist? If The Answer Is Yes, Then Don't Wait Another Minute. Just Pick Up The Phone And Call The Professionals -- Beardbusters.
Our Courteous And Efficient Staff Is On Call 24 Hours A Day To Serve All Your Religious Discrimination Needs.
I don't see what's wrong with converting people. Britian is not a Muslim country. On that note it's pretty secular. If muslims don't want to hear what christians have to say then don't listen.
You need to browse some of kirks' posts along with the ozdaload of crap.. they are very entertaining and virtually appealing..
I feel very sorry for British Society, they opened up their doors to all manner of peoples from their colonies and, despite warnings by Enoch Powell in the 1960's, did not wake up to the error of their ways until March 2004. Now what do they do;they are all scared so lots are migrating to safer countries, but why should they. They offered people freedom of thought and expression and got fundamentalist hardliners instead. A very salutary lesson for which the evidence is on world news bulletins almost daily. Anyone want to offer a solution for the improved safety of the good citizens of Great Britain or do we just let them suffer in their self imposed sin of non belief.
And Britain feels sorry for you that you believe that...
PS: the terror attacks were July 2005, not march 2004.
Ugh, not Michael Nazir-Ali again, this madman wants to convert the UK into a fundimentalist Christian country like it was in the dark ages, he's attacked Islam and Muslims more times than any other Christian Bishop I can think off.
Last edited by Goku; 06-06-2008 at 08:51 PM.
"Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators?
Or did they create the heavens and the earth?
Nay, they have no firm belief.”
[Holy Qur'an: 52:35-36]
It's all about conversions. If somebody want's to adopt you faith be it any religion, they know where to go. STOP RAMMING IT DOWN THEIR THROATS!
Nobody is ramming anything down anybody's throat, not that you could tell that from islamirama's ludicrous distortion of the actual facts of the story.
As long as I can remember (which is maybe 35 years or so), and probably much, much longer roaming bands of Jehovah's witnesses, Mormons, assorted evangelicals, and even the occasional C of E have been irritating Britons of all persuasions by handing out leaflets, standing on street corners screaming at us to repent because the Day of Doom is at hand or knocking on doors asking us how often we think about God. The answer to this diabolical plot of forced mass conversions is very simple, and has served us well for all that time. You simply ask them politely (although I suppose that's optional) to go away.
I don't see what's wrong with converting people. Britian is not a Muslim country. On that note it's pretty secular. If muslims don't want to hear what christians have to say then don't listen.
Yh I agree with that, just like when preachers come to your door they'll ask you if you want to accept there booklets or whatever
I think the police guy was probly trying to prevent little gangster wannabees creating trouble with them preachers
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. [Quran {33:43}] www.QuranicAudio.com www.Quran.com
why Muslims, why not atheists! there are far more secular atheists in England and growing, heckkkkkkkkkk why not your own Christians who are only Christian by name now?! this guy should be more concerned about dropping Church attendances than trying to convert us Muslims, you see thats the difference between Muslims and Christians. Christians, or most Christians spend 24-7 of their time concerning themselves with Muslims and others, while the majority of Muslim scholars and sheikhs spend most of their time dealing with their own Muslims to make sure they keep upon the straight path, and this is why Islam is not dying out in the Muslim world, but spreading out and spreading into the None-Muslim world as well.
as many anti-Islamic books that have been written by Christians (more than 5000) the same amount of Islamic books have been written concerning tawhid, aqeeda, the prophet Muhammad etc etc etc. see the difference?!
anyways you know, what would this preacher have to offer me? trinity? no thanks, i learned basic maths in kg1 and kg2, 3 apples are 3 apples. Jesus being God? no thanks i dont worship a man. the crucifixtion? no thanks i pay for my own sins, i dont need another guy to die for me, it would be nice and easy, but it just doesnt seem right, im sorry.
why Muslims, why not atheists! there are far more secular atheists in England and growing, heckkkkkkkkkk why not your own Christians who are only Christian by name now?! this guy should be more concerned about dropping Church attendances than trying to convert us Muslims, you see thats the difference between Muslims and Christians. Christians, or most Christians spend 24-7 of their time concerning themselves with Muslims and others, while the majority of Muslim scholars and sheikhs spend most of their time dealing with their own Muslims to make sure they keep upon the straight path, and this is why Islam is not dying out in the Muslim world, but spreading out and spreading into the None-Muslim world as well.
as many anti-Islamic books that have been written by Christians (more than 5000) the same amount of Islamic books have been written concerning tawhid, aqeeda, the prophet Muhammad etc etc etc. see the difference?!
anyways you know, what would this preacher have to offer me? trinity? no thanks, i learned basic maths in kg1 and kg2, 3 apples are 3 apples. Jesus being God? no thanks i dont worship a man. the crucifixtion? no thanks i pay for my own sins, i dont need another guy to die for me, it would be nice and easy, but it just doesnt seem right, im sorry.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
CAIRO — A senior Church of England bishop has accused church leaders of failing to do enough to convert British Muslims to Christianity out of fear of a backlash, reported the Daily Mail on Sunday, May 25.
Re: Do More to Convert UK Muslims
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Bookmarks