Faith

BBC Radio Cleveland's Mark Turnbull

We seem to have taken so many strides forward when it comes to being an inclusive society; but, things are stacking up to harm the good work.

These were the words of Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari the new general secretary of the Muslim council of Britain when he spoke to me on BBC Radio Cleveland this week.

"We have come along way compared to some of the European countries Britain is more accommodating more multi-cultural, and more tolerant."

Am I walking around with my head in the sand?

This isn't how I see it.

The suspicion shown towards our friends from the Muslim faith, and those from other countries is disgraceful; all because of the actions of a tiny minority who behave in an extreme fashion.

It’s not only Joe ordinary like you and me who fuel the fires of distrust look at how the police using supposed top-class intelligence behave.

Listen to the rhetoric of our politicians when it comes to those who seek refuge in our country from torture and turmoil in other lands.

Mr. Bari was right when he acknowledged that "We have to work harder to achieve more inclusivity in our society."

The sadness for me, is that it takes a man who was born in Bangladesh to point out the inadequacies in our society.

What are we doing to make the difference?

How are we coping with the diversity which surrounds us daily?

Surely as people of faith it is our job to help make the difference?