Leicester, the city where I was born, appears to be a melting pot of different cultures. Until recent weeks, its model of multiculturalism seemed to work well. Leicester is a city where the Diwali and Eid lights shine as brightly as the Christmas ones. Hindus, Muslims and Christians live side by side. Events of this month have shattered this peaceful image.
For several weekends now, Leicester has been a city plagued by sectarian violence. Dozens of people have been arrested. Some have been sentenced for possession of weapons.
But the surprised reaction to what has unfolded on the streets of Leicester ignores the fact that all has not been well for some time.
Not long after the riots broke out, Claudia Webbe, our local MP, described Leicester as a ‘shining example of how people from different cultures can live together side by side’. The reality could not be more different. Leicester may have 40 different nationalities and 70 languages, but it’s one of the most segregated cities in the UK.
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