Not-so-great Britain

Where there are large concentrations of Muslims in England, "no-go" zones are being established and, according to Michael Nazir-Ali, the Church of England's Bishop of Rochester, non-Muslims who "trespass" in such neighborhoods risk attack.

Nazir-Ali, a native of Pakistan and convert to Christianity, writes in The Sunday Telegraph that a spiritual vacuum in Britain, along with its indifference to the rise of Islamic extremism and a growing "multi-faith" society, is putting its future in jeopardy. He is not alone. A poll of the General Synod-the Anglican Church's parliament-shows that its senior leaders also believe that Britain is being damaged by uncontrolled immigration.

Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights, believes the country is "sleepwalking into segregation." David Davis, the shadow home secretary, goes further, accusing Muslims of promoting "voluntary apartheid" by shutting themselves off from surrounding culture and demanding immunity from criticism.

No wonder Britons are growing increasingly uneasy, even despondent, about life in their country. A poll conducted by the respected YouGov organization and published in the Dec. 30 London Times found that more than half of all men and four in 10 women said they would rather live abroad if given the choice. The main reasons are antisocial behavior among a growing underclass and immigration.

Three British cities already have high Muslim populations, thanks to immigration, high birth rates, and conversions (but don't try converting any of them to another faith, which is one reason they are creating "no-go" zones). Seventeen percent of London's population is Muslim (1.3 million out of 7.5 million). In Luton, it's 14.6 percent. Birmingham has 14.3 percent.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has expressed concern about the loss of "Britishness" and the failure to learn English and embrace the national heritage. But unless he does something to slow, even reverse Muslim immigration, Britain, as we've known it, will be lost and radical Islam will remake Britain in its own image.

-© 2008 Tribune Media Services, Inc.