A new survey by YouGov has found that more than half of Britons think Islam is incompatible with British values, and that a large number see Muslim immigrants as having a detrimental effect on the nation. The results come out just before the UK’s biggest Muslim event this weekend, and are evidence of increasing anxieties about anti-Muslim feeling in Britain.
A total of 53% of the respondents to the nationally representative survey of 2,130 adults claimed that they think Islam is incompatible with British values. Just 25% considered it compatible, with 22% being uncertain. Asked if Muslim immigrants had a negative effect on the UK, 41% said they thought so, the largest proportion compared to any religious group.
Conversely, only 15% of people had a negative view of Hindu immigrants, then 14% of Sikhs, 13% of Jews, and 7% of Christians. Muslim immigrants were mentioned by only 24% of respondents to have a positive influence on British society the lowest of the religious groups surveyed.
The figures also imply a generation gap. Younger Britons were much less likely to express negative sentiments about Muslim immigrants or query Islam’s compatibility with British values, and this may indicate a changing attitude in society over time.
The findings coincide with demographic changes over the past two decades. Between 2001 and 2021, the UK’s Muslim population grew by more than 150%, from 1.55 million to around 4 million, making it the fastest-growing religious minority. Census data shows that only half of British Muslims were born in the UK, suggesting that immigration has played a major role in this growth. Muslims contributed to 32% of the UK’s population increase between 2011 and 2021.
Sabah Ahmedi, widely referred to as “the young imam,” had termed the results of the poll “deeply worrying” and urged greater understanding and dialogue between communities. “It is unfortunate to consider that we are hated due to our faith,” he mentioned, further stating that fears about Muslims are more likely to be based on misinformation and not knowing.
Ahmedi highlighted the contributions of Muslim immigrants in positive terms across many different areas, including healthcare, education, the armed forces, and law enforcement. “Rather than harping on about a small minority who pose a threat, we should acknowledge the majority who serve this country and protect its values,” he stated.
Beneath the sobering statistics, there is hope in the attitudes of young Britons, Ahmedi has said. “I am heartened by the results indicating that the younger generation is more tolerant,” he said. “I hope that this is an indication of a future where Muslims are not perceived as a threat, but as positive contributors to society.”
The survey was commissioned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community before Jalsa Salana, the UK’s biggest Muslim convention, which is likely to attract more than 40,000 visitors this weekend.
