We do need to talk about immigration. But there’s no excuse for rioting

There really is only one Christian response to the violence we’re seeing across our cities, to the racism, the anti-Muslim abuse, the arson, the attacks on the police and the mob hysteria. Condemnation. This lunacy has to stop immediately. Those who commit crimes must be punished and the ringleaders held accountable.

But here’s where matters become slightly more complex and nuanced from a Christian point of view. We’re called to speak truth to power, to see God in everybody, and to look and think outside of conventional circles.

These riots didn’t erupt from a vacuum, and while there are obviously some Nazis and nasties involved, it’s ludicrous (and dangerous) to assume that every person who is concerned about issues such as immigration, diversity and the beliefs and actions of the growing Muslim minority are somehow on the wrong side of history.

Ignored

In the early 1980s I worked for the New Statesman. One of the areas I covered was the far right. I’m from a Jewish background and grew up taking to the streets to oppose the National Front. It was fascinating - and sometimes incredibly uncomfortable - to report on these racists, anti-Semites, and Holocaust deniers.

What I soon discovered, however, was that while the leadership was indeed repugnant and genuinely fascistic, many of the grassroots supporters were just working-class kids who were bored, poor and felt totally ignored.

Islamism, or extreme, politicised Islam, doesn’t just influence a handful of people

The far-right has never been large in Britain (thank God) but it still exists and is clearly involved with the current riots and violence. But if we blanket every concerned person as a “far-right thug” not only do we expunge their humanity but we make the situation worse.

The fact is that white working-class boys in particular have been left behind in what is considered the great move forward. Blue-collar families – black as well as white in fact – often assume that they just don’t matter any longer.

It’s one reason why the Conservative briefly did so well in traditionally Labour constituencies, and why Reform UK was the third largest party in the 2024 election with more than 14 per cent of the vote. It’s foolish and patronising to condemn as “racist” everyone who asks any questions about Britain’s future.

An honest debate

The targets of these horrendous riots are migrants and Muslims. I don’t pretend to have any answers to the migrant issue, but as Christ-followers we’re commanded to welcome strangers and show compassion and hospitality.

I stand by that. But if I were unemployed, couldn’t find a hospital bed for an ageing and ill parent, could never afford my own home, would it be so easy for me to evince these noble feelings? And what if even my calm, considerate expression of concern was shouted down as evil and cruel?

Regarding Muslims in Britain, anybody who knows the community will be aware of its frequent beauty and faithfulness. More than that, it’s misleading even to speak of a community. Muslims come from different places, have different ideas, are secular and religious, just like anybody else. There are countless examples of wonderful inter-communal relationships and cases of sublime diversity.

But there are problems. Islamism, or extreme, politicised Islam, doesn’t just influence a handful of people. It is a significant and, according to informed security sources, growing problem. Attitudes towards women, the appalling cases of rape and sexual abuse that have so often involved groups of Muslim men, a political monomania that seems more committed to foreign struggles than to British politics, support for terrorism and even terrorism itself – all of these are factors.

I’ve never understood why we can’t acknowledge both, and why even mentioning the authentic problems and concerns somehow removes us from mainstream dialogue.

Digging deeper

As an Anglican, I rejoice when I see clergy speaking out against hatred and violence, and standing in solidarity with the refugee, the oppressed and the besieged minority. This is to do God’s work.

These riots didn’t erupt from a vacuum

But photos of smiling faith leaders aren’t enough. We need to dig deeper and go further, to understand who people are, what worries and frightens them, and see how we can bring about a lasting peace based on mutual understanding and perhaps mutual compromise.

I’m not naïve in this. I first felt the sting of racism when, as a child, I was ordered out of someone’s house because I was Jewish. I’m disgusted by those who are rejoicing in the current discord. I just want long-term, Gospel-soaked, godly solutions - and not just fashionable soundbites. I make no apologies for that.

Premier will be bringing together the Christian community to pray against the unrest. Tune in at 12.30pm daily as we cry out to God to ‘Heal our land’. Listen in at premier.plus, via DAB or ask Alexa/Google to “play Premier Christian Radio”