Report – Belonging, Belief & Britishness: Exploring the British Muslim Experience on Their Own Terms

British Muslims are overwhelmingly positive about their ability to practice their faith and engage in public life in the UK.

• British Muslims are overwhelmingly positive over how Britain accommodates their ability to practice their faith compared with other European countries. 78% of Muslims believe the UK is more accommodating for Muslims to practice their faith and engage in public life compared to France, Germany and the Netherlands.
• Mixed, Asian and Black Muslims showed a considerably higher likelihood (over 50%) of identifying as ‘Muslim’ over ‘British’, whereas this was only 39% for White Muslims. The preference for a Muslim identity is portrayed as a reactive response to experiences of exclusion rather than an endorsement of Islamic teachings.
• The majority of British Muslim interviewees expressed a preference for living in the United Kingdom over a Muslim-majority country, citing cultural and religious diversity, as well as a greater sense of security and individual rights. Non-Sunni participants highlighted concerns over intra-Muslim divisions and potential alienation in Muslim-majority states, while Sunni respondents noted the pressures of collective religious practices. Many emphasised their appreciation for the UK’s governance, legal protections, and the ability to practice their faith freely.
• 58% of Muslims are not content with the way Islam is generally represented in the mainstream media. Similarly, 58% of Muslims do not believe the British media generally understand what Islam is about.

Healthcare and the NHS is the issue most likely to determine how British Muslims vote.

• British Muslims show a high level of political participation, with a significant proportion voting in elections, contacting their local MPs, and joining political demonstrations. Ten percent more voted in the 2024 elections compared with the general population and are three times as likely to be engaged in political demonstrations.
• Healthcare/NHS policy is most likely to be what determines how a British Muslim will vote in the next general election (95%), followed by Economy/jobs (93%). Interestingly, Gaza/Israel are in fourth place (87%).
• British Muslims have a preference for Muslim-led charities, and prioritise national causes for their charitable donations, reflecting a sense of belonging and commitment to British society at a national level.

45% of British Muslims have struggled with mental health in the past year.

• 45% of British Muslims have struggled with mental health in the past year, with younger Muslims being twice as likely to face such challenges compared to their older counterparts. Compared to England, where only 25% of the general population is expected to experience mental health struggles each year.
• 71% of Muslims believe it can be difficult for people in their community to admit to having mental health issues.
• 42% of Muslims believe that if they sought counselling, it would matter to them that their counsellor is someone that shares their faith background. Young Muslims are 25% more likely to want their counsellor to share their faith, confirming what our prior reports have found, that faith is held to be more important and more influential amongst the youth; 18-24s (53%) compared to 65+s (28%).