One in six Britons view the growing Muslim population as a fundamental threat to the nation's culture, fuelling deep-seated concerns about social cohesion and integration. A comprehensive study by British Future and the British Muslim Trust reveals that 17% of respondents strongly agree this demographic shift poses a foundational threat to UK culture, despite a majority of Britons holding more inclusive views.
The report, which drew on a representative sample of 2,000 people, found that while 52% of Britons believe Muslims are as British as white non-Muslims, 19% disagree with this statement. For the Muslim community, the findings present a mixed picture: 73% believe the UK is a good place to be Muslim, but 56% reported experiencing prejudice based on their religion in the past year.
Akeela Ahmed, director of the British Muslim Trust, described the figure of Muslims experiencing prejudice as 'utterly intolerable', highlighting concerns among Muslims that their identity and place in society are being questioned and scrutinised in unprecedented ways. The study identifies factors contributing to these attitudes, including a strong correlation between regular interaction with Muslims and acceptance, and an age gap in attitudes, with 29% of over-65s viewing the contribution of Muslims negatively.
The online world is shaping attitudes, spreading misinformation and hostility rapidly, according to Ms Ahmed. She notes that many non-Muslims lack personal contact with Muslims, exacerbating these trends. Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, expressed concern over the findings, warning that if unchecked, hostile attitudes towards Muslims could become normalised in wider society.
While 63% of the public acknowledge prejudice against Muslims exists and 61% support government action to address it, there are differing views on how this should be achieved. Some advocate for strong measures (20%), while others prioritise balancing prejudice action with freedom of speech protections (41%). The British Muslim Trust, launched as the government's official partner in monitoring Islamophobia, is working to address these concerns through community engagement and a helpline for anti-Muslim hate crimes.