Wednesday’s episode of the Today programme was temporarily taken down from catch-up service BBC Sounds while three sentences were edited out of Thought for the Day.
The segment, which is broadcast during the Today programme but overseen by the BBC’s religion department, features contributors from religious and theological backgrounds delivering messages related to topical themes and events.
On Wednesday, Dr Kandiah, founder of refugee charity The Sanctuary Foundation, referred to a Mail on Sunday article written by Jenrick this weekend.
He quoted a line from the Conservative politican that said: “I certainly don’t want my children to share a neighbourhood with men from backward countries who broke into Britain illegally and about whom we know next to nothing.”
Dr Kandiah continued: “These words echo a fear many have absorbed – fear of the stranger. The technical name for this is xenophobia. All phobias are, by definition, irrational. Nevertheless, they have a huge impact.
“It is understandable that many people are scared by the unknown, especially if they’ve been told illegality and unfairness are part of the story. However, over the past year, xenophobia has fuelled angry protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, deepening divisions in our communities.”