Following Jeremy's post I was wondering about Muslims not integrating into society and their "refusal to adapt to local values and customs", since which I have been trying to work out what that means, precisely.
Setting my religious beliefs aside, if I went to live in another country, one with an ethos that embraced freedom of religion, would I be expected to give up my cultural identity (whatever that is), and dress, speak and eat in the same way as the indigenous population? I'd be pleasant and open, probably socialise, make friends and work with them, my kids would go to school with theirs, but I'd still be me - an English person with 'foreign' ways.
Indeed the British took up residence in many countries and were renowned for imposing their way of living on the inhabitants.
I've come across many Muslims, and others, and never had any feeling that they were basically different to me, despite clothing, customs, religion. We got along fine. It would be appallingly arrogant of me to suggest to a Muslim neighbour or colleague that they should 'stop being so Muslim' and be more British because they live here.
Moving on a bit, I went to the dentist today and perused three red top newspapers in between the hygienist and dentist: apparently 57% of people in the UK would support a ban on the burqa.
If I was a young Muslim woman and believed a ban on the burqa was imminent, I would start wearing one if only to make a statement! That already happens with the hijab; lots of girls feel they have to wear something that shows they are not ashamed to be Muslim, even if their mothers didn't. What a world, aye?
Anyway, the 57% of Brits is only 57% of those surveyed, no-one has asked me.