Soon after the feature on the growth of sanctuary churches under Trump, Radio 4's Sunday moved onto this:
Again, here's someone on Twitter with an instant reaction:
That guy, Dr Mandaville, made the familiar complaint that:
Muslim communities in the United States and and Britain are perceived by both the the publics in their respective societies as well as the government in both countries primarily as communities that are to be thought about and engaged with of are in reference almost exclusively to issues relating to security and terrorism rather than - as both of them actually - citizens of their respective nations.
He argued that in the US Muslims "now suddenly feel themselves singled out, scrutinised, viewed with suspicion and really regarded only in relation to the fact that they happen to be Muslim" - later suggesting that they now find themselves in a similar position to UK Muslims.
"And presumably you see that trend continuing with things like the Trump travel ban?", asked Ed Stourton.
"It continues under Trump but it it begins to take on very odd and very worrying forms", replied Dr Mandaville. saying that:
...he's brought into the White House some figures who hold views that until fairly recently would be regarded in my country as extremely fringe views. This is the idea that Islam and Muslims are somehow fundamentally incompatible with the American way of life, that there's some sort of broader civilisational conflict looming between Islam and the West - and that kind of thinking, I think, is very disturbing to American Muslims.
Ed then asked him about his "comparison between what's happening to Muslims under Trump and what's happening here since Brexit". He replied that the connection is the "wedge" issue of "immigrants" but sounded optimistic that a "transatlantic Islam", based on shared concerns about how they are being viewed, is growing, allowing for "collective action and advocacy".
A very 'Radio 4' feature.
