Polling over 1,000 British Muslims and over 1,000 members of the general public, the report revealed that British Muslims hold positive views over the opportunities offered by living in Britain, with 86% saying Britain is a good place to live when it comes to having opportunities to progress and thrive in life, compared to just 70% of the general population. 51% also reported feeling a strong sense of belonging in their local community and neighbourhood, compared to 35% of the general population.
These findings were reflected in a lively discussion between a panel featuring representatives from Muslim communities across the United Kingdom, including: Tasneem Bhindarwala, a solicitor from the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community; Salma Khanam, the founder of charity Aishah Help; Abdurahman Sayed, the CEO of Al-Manaar/The Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre; and Safeer Zartasht, an Imam in the Ahmadiyya community who works on interfaith relations.
Discussing their experiences as Muslims living in Britain, the panellists shared the positive role their faith plays in making them good citizens and the freedom they feel to practise their faith in public life.
“I wouldn’t change home, I wouldn’t change home ever because here is where I have everything I need to be who I am today, and that might not be a Muslim country but that is the beauty of living in England.” – Salma Khanam
“The rule of law, democracy, secularism, are all accommodating and appreciated by Muslims.” – Abdurahman Sayed
“Giving to charity is something our community instils in our children.” – Tasneem Bhindarwala
“Religious freedom is something that should never be taken for granted. If you were born here and have not had any of those experiences that Muslims have had then you may not appreciate what an opportunity you have in your hands.” – Safeer Zartasht
For any further information or commentary on the report, please contact Dr Jake Scott, secretary for the Institute.
Dr Jake Scott
jake.scott@iifl.org.uk
+44 (0) 7490 190 652
Notes for editors:
- IIFL is a research forum examining the role that faith and religious belief plays in the lives of people in the UK, whether at work, at home, or in the community.
- The polling is based on a nationally-representative survey conducted by TechneUK, a British Polling Council member.
- Fieldwork for both surveys took place between the 22nd January and the 2nd February 2024.
- For the general population survey, 1,012 adults were surveyed across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- For the British Muslim survey, 1,001 British Muslim adults were surveyed across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- 28 individual British Muslims were interviewed alongside the representative surveys.
- Respondents were surveyed on their attitudes to family and community, social belonging, and the degree to which Britain offers opportunities for people to fulfil their potential. Of British Muslim respondents:
- 86% say Britain is a good place to live when it comes to having opportunities to progress and thrive in life, compared to just 70% of the general population.
- 83% agree that Britain is a better place for Muslims to practise their faith whilst being involved in wider public life than most European states, rising to 87% for Muslims living in London.
- 51% reported feeling a strong sense of belonging in their local community and neighbourhood.
- 68% believe people have a duty to get married and raise children to make positive contributions to society, compared to 43% of the general population.