Planted by Water

Good to hear that Abu Hamza is behind bars! It is also good to see that many politicians from all parties were calling yesterday for some action against the Muslim demonstrators who had clearly incited violence at the end of last week. This is not because I think that we should be out to get Muslims, but because I think that is essential that those in authority are not intimidated by fear of being thought racist or Islamophobic, to the point where they fail to make right and just judgements or to take the appropriate action.

It was also good to see the young Muslim man who apologised for his foolish and insensitive portrayal of a suicide bomber during the demonstrations. Whatever his motives - both for the original act and the subsequent apology - there is at least a recognition among the Muslim community that they need to distance themselves from extremists. Christians can help in this process by avoiding the demonising of all Muslims.

These recent developments do not signal the end of the extremist Islamic terrorist threat, but they hopefully will help to work against the dangerous polarisation bewteen Muslims and the rest of society that has been a growing phenomena in our country and in much of the Western world in the 21st Century. As people who are exhorted to ‘live in peace with all men’ we should welcome this.