http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2851
http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2993
Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs Correspondent
In his first interview since his controversial comments, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali vows not to be forced into silence.
The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, who received death threats for airing his views on Islamic issues, has vowed that he will continue to speak out.
His claim that Islamic extremism has turned some parts of Britain into “no-go” areas for non-Muslims led to fierce rows between http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2866 and religious leaders over the impact of multiculturalism on this country.
Those comments were followed soon after by the http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=3327 that the adoption of aspects of sharia law in Britain was “unavoidable”.The bishops’ views in The Sunday Telegraph sparked a storm of criticism and raised questions over the role of the Church in society but, most seriously for Dr Nazir-Ali, led to threats that he and his family would be harmed.
Yet, in his first interview since the sinister calls were made to his home, the Bishop of Rochester remains steadfastly defiant. He will not be silenced. “I believe people should not be prevented from speaking out,” he says. “The issue had to be raised. There are times when Christian leaders have to speak out.”
He arrived in Britain in the 1980s and seems to have taken up the mantle for defending the country’s values he fears are being threatened.
Dressed casually in a roll-neck jumper and sports jacket, he seems relaxed now as he walks around his study in Bishopscourt, but it has clearly been a stressful time.
Threats were made warning that he would not “live long” and would be “sorted out” if he continued to criticise Islam.
“If you disagree, that must be met by counter-arguments, not by trying to silence people. It was a threat not just to me, but to my family. I took it seriously, so did the police. It gave me sleepless nights.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/24/nchurch124.xml