Perhaps the mass production of chicken meat is not an aspect of modern life about which we can feel particularly proud, whether or not the end product gets a “halal” certificate. Of course, from the English Defence League point of view, the key issue is not so much animal welfare. It is against “Islamification” that the EDL is defending us.

So how credible is this notion?On the whole, Pope Benedict (or was it one of his aides?) probably did have a point.

We are one of the more secular nations around.

Only 10 per cent of us regularly goes to religious services of any type.

We have learned to live with religious differences and tend to see belief as a private matter – indeed, it is almost regarded as impolite to argue about religion. Frankly, we are as likely to become “Islamified” as KFC is to get a Michelin star.

Islam in the UK attracts the occasional convert, but not so many for the question to be of any sociological significance.

The supposed signs of “Islamification” – a mosque gets built, Sharia tribunals are accepted among other channels for voluntary arbitration on some civil legal issues, a few people adopt self-consciously “religious” dress – really have no broader implication than that a proportion of our citizens are Muslim.

“Islamification” is at best a form of unfounded anxiety; at worst, someone playing bogey-man politics that ends up creating a “type” whom everyone else is supposed to hate and fear.

And as for KFC, I’m afraid it puts most of us more in mind of “Americanisation” than of “Islamification”.

Ian Gallagher, Blackburn and District Trades Union Council.