Does the clergy in this see of Blackburn ever stop to think that they themselves could well be the sponsors of the current wave of Islamaphobia?

Jumping upon almost every syllable uttered by any critic of Islam, the full time paid lackies of the PC movement serve only to discredit the freedom of speech.

The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester, uttering forth about Christians' concerns in areas heavily populated with other faith groups, has been the subject of an unprecendented attack.

Canon Christopher Chivers and his advisor Anjum Anwar seemed all too quickly to jump on the ever-more-burdened PC bandwagon in their attempt to discredit what was at least an honest assessment of Christian fears.

These fears ought to have been the thrust of any comment from any self-respecting Bishop including the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade who when asked to respond, yet again disappeared into the 'No comment' cupboard.

In my personal view, any major faith, confident in its own identity, should be able to withstand any amount of prodding, poking, laughter, wit and reason and have at the centre of its beliefs the recommendation to 'turn the other cheek'.

Surely it is time that Islam became confident enough within its own faith to withstand any criticism.

Then perhaps, even our so-called Christian leaders will find the strength to protest the validity of my faith, too.