Bishop Michael was born in 1949 in Karachi, Pakistan. He had both a Christian and Muslim family background. Bishop Michael was the first non-white senior bishop in the Church of England on his appointment. There were issues raised about him having a leading role in the church and worries over the prospect of a “non-white archbishop”. The bishop believes we should set stereotypes aside. He advocates we should set stereotypes aside. The bishop has said that media images of Islam are violent and intolerant; however “we have to ask whether these are the only available images of Islam. What else can we say about a great world faith, which has given rise to so many civilizations?” Some believe his vision of Christianity is profoundly influenced by his knowledge of the third world.