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| Multi-faith agenda 'separates UK' | Multi-faith agenda 'separates UK' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Government attempts to integrate minority faiths has left society "more separated than ever before", a Church of England briefing suggests. | Government attempts to integrate minority faiths has left society "more separated than ever before", a Church of England briefing suggests. |
| Written by the interfaith adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury, it says Muslims have been given "preferential" treatment since the 7 July bombings. | Written by the interfaith adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury, it says Muslims have been given "preferential" treatment since the 7 July bombings. |
| The confidential document says the Church has been "sidelined". | The confidential document says the Church has been "sidelined". |
| The Church said the note, leaked to the Sunday Telegraph, was not an attack but a contribution to debate. | The Church said the note, leaked to the Sunday Telegraph, was not an attack but a contribution to debate. |
| "The issue of community cohesion is a vital subject in which all sections of society should be fully engaged," a spokesman said. | "The issue of community cohesion is a vital subject in which all sections of society should be fully engaged," a spokesman said. |
| "It does not represent Church policy but seeks to set out a starting point for further discussion within the Church, with other faith groups, with the commission and with the government more widely." | "It does not represent Church policy but seeks to set out a starting point for further discussion within the Church, with other faith groups, with the commission and with the government more widely." |
| 'Frightening and intimidating' | 'Frightening and intimidating' |
| The government's Commission on Integration and Cohesion is looking at how communities in England can tackle challenges like segregation and social or economic divisions between ethnic groups. | The government's Commission on Integration and Cohesion is looking at how communities in England can tackle challenges like segregation and social or economic divisions between ethnic groups. |
| According to the Sunday Telegraph, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has held talks with Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly to see how the church could become involved. | According to the Sunday Telegraph, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has held talks with Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly to see how the church could become involved. |
| The Church's document is said to challenge the view that the UK is a "multi-faith society". | The Church's document is said to challenge the view that the UK is a "multi-faith society". |
| "The contribution of the Church of England in particular and of Christianity in general to the underlying culture remains very substantial," it said. | "The contribution of the Church of England in particular and of Christianity in general to the underlying culture remains very substantial," it said. |
| The note, called Cohesion and Integration - A Briefing Note for the House (of Bishops), goes on to describe the government's approach to integration as "schizophrenic". | |
| "One might argue that disaffection and separation is now greater than ever, with Muslim communities withdrawing further into a sense of victimhood, and other faith communities seriously concerned that the government has given signals that appear to encourage the notion of a privileged relationship with sections of the Muslim community," it says. | "One might argue that disaffection and separation is now greater than ever, with Muslim communities withdrawing further into a sense of victimhood, and other faith communities seriously concerned that the government has given signals that appear to encourage the notion of a privileged relationship with sections of the Muslim community," it says. |
| On Sunday, Communities and Local Government Minister Phil Woolas backed Commons leader Jack Straw's criticism of Muslim women for wearing veils. | On Sunday, Communities and Local Government Minister Phil Woolas backed Commons leader Jack Straw's criticism of Muslim women for wearing veils. |
| Mr Woolas, writing in the Sunday Mirror, said Muslims should show understanding of people of other faiths who might find veils "frightening and intimidating." | Mr Woolas, writing in the Sunday Mirror, said Muslims should show understanding of people of other faiths who might find veils "frightening and intimidating." |