The latest report from IIFL, ‘The social contribution of British Muslims’, shows that 83% of British Muslims agree that Britain is a better place for Muslims to practise their faith whilst being involved in the mainstream of British life, compared to European countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Polling over 1,000 British Muslims and over 1,000 members of the general public, the surveys 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.
75% have also given to charity in the last year – compared to 68% of the general population.
The report, authored by Dr Rakib Ehsan and Dr Jake Scott, is based on a survey conducted by British Polling Council member TechneUK of 1,001 British Muslims, in-depth interviews with a diverse pool of British Muslims, and ten case studies of British Muslim charities across the country.
Dr Rakib Ehsan, senior research associate for IIFL, says:
“The data shows that the vast majority of British Muslims believe that their country is a land of opportunity and generosity. Their positive views should better inform the national conversation on equality in modern Britain, which is increasingly dominated by tribal activists who thrive on the currency of victimhood. This should be a source of national pride in post-Brexit Britain.”
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.