SINCE the appalling events of 7/7 in London there has been much debate and discussion about multicultural Britain.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has reminded us that theology -- what we think about human beings, their relationship to one another and to God -- always has a local accent.

In this sense, there is much for us to reflect upon in East Lancashire, many of whose communities are, if we're honest, already as segregated as Trevor Phillips recently suggested they might one day become.

Part of the problem is ignorance of different faiths and cultures, and an accompanying indifference to our fellow citizens, their beliefs, customs, concerns and traditions, which often comes from prejudice and from laziness.

But as our Muslim neighbours begin the rigours of Ramadan we have a chance to begin to correct this, if we are prepared to be more attentive to what they are setting out to achieve spiritually and practically.

Isn't it time simply to ask those Muslims across the street or across the desk at work what the month involves, to talk and to break down barriers of ignorance or indifference that divide us?

For in learning something about Ramadan at the most basic level, those of us who are of other faiths or no particular faith certainly stand to gain a great deal from the month's focus on fasting and its twin accents on self-denial and generosity to the needy.

But we could go one stage further even than this. Ramadan is also the month during which Muslims give thanks to the revelation of the Holy Qu'ran.

Why not buy a copy of the Qu'ran in translation -- there are plenty of good ones with excellent introductions -- and read a portion of it each day? I've tried to do so each Ramadan for the last few years and found the experience invaluable.

It's a wonderful book. A treasure trove of the insightful and the thought-provoking.

And to my Muslim neighbours after all it's the truth. So surely it makes sense to get to know a bit more about it?

Canon CHRIS CHIVERS, Canon Chancellor, Blackburn Cathedral.