Muslim politicians have condemned claims by a former Birmingham vicar that Islam is receiving preferential treatment at the expense of Christianity.
Guy Wilkinson, former vicar of Small Heath, said the Government had given “privileged attention” to Muslim communities and spent public money in an attempt to win them over. He is now interfaith advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and made the comments in a report for the House of Bishops.
But the claims were denied by MP Khalid Mahmood (Lab Perry Barr), who said: “It’s simply not true that the Government has diverted funding to Muslim organisations.” Birmingham councillor Salma Yaqoob (Respect Sparkbrook) said: “There is attention focused on Muslims but it’s extremely negative and we’d rather not have it.”