Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, penned an article in 2005 drawing ample attention and controversy where he suggested that Islamophobia was a ‘natural reaction’ to Islam.
Many have expressed concerns to a growing Islamic population in the UK and the challenges facing those who wish to integrate the faith, culture, and lifestyle into modern British society.
Since Mr Johnson’s emphatic election win over a Labour Party who abandoned their core voting base, British Muslims have stressed their fears over a Johnson Conservative government.
In 2018, the Conservative Party was accused by Muslim Leaders of allowing Islamophobia to “fester” within their ranks, saying: “It is abundantly clear to many Muslims that the Conservative Party tolerate Islamophobia, allow it to fester in society, and fail to put in place the measures necessary to root out this type of racism.”
In the Spectator article, Mr Johnson wrote: “To any non-Muslim reader of the Koran, Islamophobia — fear of Islam — seems a natural reaction, and, indeed, exactly what that text is intended to provoke.
“Judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions in its heartlessness towards unbelievers.”
Following the London 7/7 Bombings, he said: “Islam is the problem.”
“It will take a huge effort of courage and skill to win round the many thousands of British Muslims who are in a similar state of alienation, and to make them see that their faith must be compatible with British values and with loyalty to Britain.
“That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem.”
According to Business Insider, he added: “What is going on in these mosques and madrasas? When is someone going to get 18th century on Islam’s medieval ass?”
In another article, Mr Johnson said, referring to those who wear a Burka: “it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes.”
