Source: The Guardian
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=32658
Thirty years to the month after the Race Relations Act of 1976 was passed, it is time we rethink our approach to race and faith relations in Britain. The national debate has become so poisonous that space for a saner dialogue is needed. We are told that our society is becoming more and more segregated, and that riots are more imminent with every controversy. But take a look at the statistics and things are not so bad.
This is not to say that there are no problems -- it is obvious that there are many. But to confront these and have an honest debate we need to re-examine how discussions around these issues are framed and who gets involved.
One of the main barriers to an open discussion is the system of representation. When the first generation of African-Caribbean and Asian migrants came to this country, politicians did not make much effort to engage them or understand their concerns. In recent years, as the numbers have grown and socio-economic issues have come to the fore, politicians have changed tack. Rather than engaging with these communities locally and constructively, they want so-called community leaders to do the job for them.
During the past decade, a group of self-appointed representatives has sprung up, including the Hindu Council UK and Hindu Forum of Britain; the Network of Sikh Organisations, the Sikh Federation and Sikh Human Rights Group; and the Muslim Council of Britain and Muslim Association of Britain, all claiming to speak on behalf of all Hindu, Sikh and Muslim citizens.