Besieged by a national identity crisis, Britain has lost confidence in its Christian roots over the past 50 years and embraced the “novel philosophy of multiculturalism,” wrote Michael Nazir-Ali, bishop of Rochester, in the Telegraph Monday. One of the most dangerous consequences has been the dramatic spread of Islamic extremism across Britain.

The radicalization of Muslims has become so bad, says Nazir-Ali, some communities in Britain have turned into “no-go” areas for non-Muslims. He writes (emphasis ours throughout):

Those of a different faith or race may find it difficult to live or work there because of hostility to them. In many ways, this is but the other side of the coin to far-right intimidation.Attempts have been made to impose an “Islamic” character on certain areas, for example, by insisting on artificial amplification for the Adhan, the call to prayer. … There is pressure already to relate aspects of the sharia to civil law in Britain. To some extent this is already true of arrangements for sharia-compliant banking but have the far-reaching implications of this been fully considered?

According to Nazir-Ali, multiculturalism is not only fueling the rise of radical Islam, but it is also diluting the traditional presence and influence of Christianity across Britain.

The existence of chapels and chaplaincies in places such as hospitals, prisons and institutions of further and higher education is in jeopardy either because of financial cuts or because the authorities want “multifaith” provision, without regard to the distinctively Christian character of the nation’s laws, values, customs and culture.

Were it not for the “black majority churches” and the recent influx of immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, writes Nair-Ali, “the Christian cause in many of our cities would have looked a lost one.”

Nazir-Ali is not alone in his concern about the rise of radical Islam and the diminution of the Church of England in Britain. Nicholas Reade, the bishop of Blackburn, stated recently that it is becoming increasingly challenging for Christians to practice their faith in areas dominated by immigrants of other faiths.

According to the Telegraph, Reade “believes that increasing pressure will be put on the government to begin the process of disestablishment and end the preferential status given to the Church of England. ‘The writing is on the wall,’ he said.”

The rise of radical Islam and the demise of the Church of England in Britain are grave trends well worth watching. To learn about the significance of Islam’s growing footprint in Britain, read “The Sickness in Britain’s Heart”; to learn more about the demise of the Anglicans in Britain, read “The Significance of Anglicans Turning Catholic.”