Thread by @_HenryBolton

1/11. A thread on the definable points of friction between muslims and non-muslims in western democracies.

This is not intended to offend anyone, but we do need a frank and open debate about the points of friction between muslim and non-muslim communities in Britain. It's also high time everyone, including the muslim community, acknowledged the points of friction that exist and the legitimate concerns of ordinary non-muslims in Britain, if we are to avoid things breaking down further.

2/11. Sectarianism: Muslims, particularly from the areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Levant create the impression that they have clear preference for issues in those countries/areas, and for other Muslims, over those of the country they have migrated to. This divides society.

3/11. Segregation: Muslim communities tend to treat girls and women, for example, differently to liberal western societies. This, and the very male dominated character of muslim communities, raises suspicions and offends Western societies.

4/11. Perception of Islam as Political: While Western societies operate on a secular model where religion is private, many muslims view Islam as all-encompassing, guiding their personal life, social interactions and political behaviour. I do not judge that in other countries, but Britons do not want their politics and laws shaped by sectarian Islam

5/11. Parallel Structures (linked to 3 above): Some muslims instinctively tend towards applying parallel legal systems e.g. Sharia, and towards making political decisions based on religious interpretation of Islam. This is what they have grown up with tin their countries of origin. But such an approach is often incompatible with the pluralistic principles of western democracy.

6/11. Respect: Some muslims demand respect for their religion and culture, but are often perceived as showing little respect for British historical and cultural locations, monuments and events.

The practice - which appears deliberate - of conducting muslim religious practices in or around Anglican sites, in Trafalgar Square and in other public spaces, together with the establishment of mosques and Muslim cultural centres in iconic British locations, is increasingly perceived as muslims planting their flag - their identity. This raises concerns of "occupation" and attempts to dominate and intimidate.

7/11. Hypocrisy: A small minority Muslims commit horrendous acts, whether of terror, child grooming or anything else, but when they do the condemnation, if any, from the Muslim community is muted.

Of course non-muslims also commit heinous crimes, but when a muslim is the victim there's an outcry.

8/11. The demand for protection against criticism: The demand by some in the Muslim community for legal protection against blasphemy of their religion is itself offensive to many non-muslims.

The failure of high profile members of the Muslim community to condemn such things as the appalling treatment of the Batley school teacher deepens the impression - and impressions are important - that Muslims expect to be treated differently and believe their religion justifies their actions.

9/11. Double standards: Animosity arises when Western publics observe christians being arrested for preaching or praying in public when muslim religious events, even those that block roads, occupy public spaces, intimidate or offend non-muslims, are permitted.

10/11 Extremism: Of course, only a very small minority of muslims turn to Islamic extremism and violence, but that small minority do form the greatest terror threat in the West. Then there are a number of "hate preachers", whose sermons appear across the internet, who encourage the dominance of Islam and the destruction of or dominance over western societies. In these circumstances, it is perhaps unrealistic to argue people should not hold any fear of Islam.

11/11. British authorities: I lay much of the fault of all this at the door of successive governments, politicians, local authorities, police and schools who have failed to address the tensions and their causes, failed appallingly over the grooming gangs, and instead of encouraging a frank and open exchange and debate, appear to appease muslim sensibilities, in doing so, have arguably exacerbated the problem.

I'd also argue that Labour and the Green party politicians have made the problem significantly worse by encouraging ethno-religious sectarianism for their own political ends.