9th August 2024

Thankfully, the fears of violence did not materialise in Bristol on Wednesday evening, with the entirely peaceful demonstration against racism. ‘If you have people of different race and culture living close together, conflict is inevitable’: we heard that opinion voiced in response to the earlier appalling scenes of violence and hatred across the UK. Elon Musk, billionaire owner of the social media platform Twitter/X, reinforced it with highly inaccurate and inflammatory comments.

Is conflict so inevitable? High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire has a high concentration of Muslims. It has certainly known tensions. In 2009, eight people from the Muslim community were arrested in connection with a plot to blow up transatlantic flights. It might be expected, then, that in recent days the town would have witnessed the kind of riots seen elsewhere. So far, at least, it has been quiet. Why? I’ve spoken with Michael, a long-standing friend who lives there. He’s a retired GP and as well as active in the local ecumenical church scene is personally involved in promoting Christian-Muslim relationships. His late wife Anne gave much of her time teaching Muslim women English. Muslim friends attended her funeral two years ago, including the local Imam who spoke warmly of her contribution to encouraging friendships between the communities.

I asked about the reaction to the disturbances elsewhere. Michael says there was a small English Defence League anti-immigrant protest in the town centre but it was short-lived. A small counter-demonstration with a ‘Refugees Welcome’ message lasted longer. Too soon to say definitely maybe, but let’s welcome every sign that ‘faith working through love’ (Galatians 5:6) challenges the inevitability of conflict.

Keith Clements