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Date Posted: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 The first published survey of British Muslims since the July 7 London bombings finds that very few think the bombings were justified, and a majority would support tough action against imams who preach hate against the West. Eight out of ten feel loyal towards Britain - but only one in three think that our main political parties are sincere when they say they respect Islam.
YouGov polled 526 British Muslims online between 15 and 22 July; almost all of the fieldwork was completed before the second attack on London's transport system on July 21. The results were published in the Daily Telegraph on July 23. An ICM telephone survey of Muslims, conducted at around the same time and published in the Guardian on July 26, produced similar findings to YouGov where similar questions were asked.
Our survey shows that it is far too simple to classify Britain's Muslims as either pro-terrorist or pro-western. Opinion is far more layered than this:
Indicators of radicalism:
6% of British Muslims think the July 7 bombers were "on balance" justified.
16% have little or no loyalty towards Britain.
17% think no action should be taken, either by the law or the Muslim community, against any British citizen trying to "radicalise" young Muslims by preaching hatred against the West.
24% have some sympathy with the "feelings and motives" of those who carried out the attacks.
32% think Western society is "decadent and immoral" and should be ended (though the vast majority think only non-violent means should be used).
Indicators of loyalty:
79% of British Muslims feel "very" or "fairly" loyal towards Britain.
73% would tell the police if they knew of someone who might be planning a July 7-type attack in London.
56% think Muslims should live with Western society and NOT seek to bring it to an end.
53% would support a new law making it easier to deport any imam from abroad who came to Britain and preached hatred against the West.
42% approve of the way Tony Blair has handled Britain's response to the events of July 7; 37% disapprove.
37% think anyone charged and put on trial in Britain in connection with the July 7 bombings would receive a fair trial.
33% think Britain's political leaders are sincere when they say they respect Islam and want to co-operate with Britain's Muslim communities.
Only 29% think that Britain's political leaders regard the lives of Muslim Britons as equally valuable as the lives of white Britons.
Overall, the poll indicates that most British Muslims not only deplore the bombers but oppose the anti-West philosophy of some radical clerics. It is also clear from many of the comments we elicited from our respondents, when we asked them to say in their own words what is best and worst about Britain, that most British Muslims appreciate British democracy, freedom and tolerance, the quality of our public services (especially education), and the range of economic and other opportunities.
At the same time, there are worries about racism and double-standards - as well as concerns about British society that are common to people in all groups, such as vandalism and the cost of living. A significant minority also say, unprompted, that too many immigrants come to Britain. (A selection of responses is given below.)
For the moment, the message from this survey is that the great majority of British Muslims want to be loyal, law-abiding members of a society whose underlying values they cherish. But they need to be persuaded that their loyalty and desire for equality are matched by Britain's politicians and judicial system.
The BEST things about living in Britain (examples of answers given)
"It's the equality of opportunity, tolerance and the richnesss of a multicultural society."
"Freedom of expression; education system; NHS, very little corruption; Good Roads and transport; Good people"
"We are free to live our lives the way we want: to follow our religion by choice, not force, to work, study and make a better future for ourselves and our children."
"It is a multicultural country, where everyone has friends and relatives of mix races. i feel safe in uk because the police come to your doorsteps in minutes and ambulances are there when u need them, no one ever goes hungry, no one is homeless, lots of training places, lots of places to go for help and support, I love it in Britain , I am a Muslim Bengali girl. I have been in Britain all my life my kids are born and bread in the UK. If I was in Bangladesh frankly speaking I would have had to beg to feed my four kids! I am thankful to the British law to doing such great things for us, and when I hear these stupid people doing stupid things it makes me sick of them they may be born British but they should not forget there root. There is a saying in our language ' when a small fish is put in a big pool he drowns'. That's what these boys have done, they have made such a bad reputation for us now, I feel ashamed and don't blame the non-Muslims if they attack us and harass us because of course they will think we are probably all the same Britain is a multi-cultural society and I love Britain, especially London. London is a diverse city and when the London Bombs occurred, London united in condemning the atrocities as one."
"Multi culturalism - freedom to pray and believe as we see fit. History being all around, the Olympics to look forward to, great food, great music and shops"
"Good education system, gives me freedom to have a job especially as a woman as this may be more difficult in Muslim countries, better police and criminal system, better health service and hospitals."
"The freedom to practice our religion as we wish, something Muslims cannot often do in their own lands."
"Most people are very tolerant. As long as you don't shove your opinions down their throats, they are happy for you to be different and believe what you believe."
"Freedom; the fact that we live in a society where the most vulnerable members of society, such as the old and disabled, are cared for by the government. Britain is one of the few countries in which a multicultural society has been successful, and I hope it can stay that way."
"Standard of living. The summer evenings. Freedom of speech."
"In Britain one has the opportunity to realise his/her dreams. Doors of opportunities are open to all who want to contribute and be a part of Britain."
"Women have an equal right in society. We are educated, can vote and have a lot of freedom compared to other countries"
"This is my country, I was born here. I am a British Muslim. I don't have any experience of living in any other country. Any one who attacks this country is launching an attack on me and my family as well as everyone else, Muslim or not."
"Despite 7 July's tragic events, we in London have the most harmonious pluralist society in the world."
"The best things about living in Britain are the freedoms to live the way individuals choose to and the mutual respect from all sides of the community to do so. Most people are treated equally in Britain and this is one of our greatest strengths"
"Many jobs opportunities are opened to both genders, compared to Pakistan where the majority of women are not allowed to work. Freedom of Speech, free country do whatever you wanted to do, behaviour, dress code."
"The great scenery which Allah has bestowed some parts of this land."
"The UK is a social democracy with a premium upon human rights, and freedoms of speech and worship. The judiciary are independent."
"Civil liberties, freedom of speech. Diverse, multicultural society where all religious beliefs, traditions are accepted. Unique culture- a melting pot of different ones. There is no defined concept of 'Britishness'or pressure to assimilate"
"The ability to interact with society and to show the beauty of Islam. The people are on the whole are good but are mistreated and duped by their government."
"Best things about living in britain the freedom .Is completely different of what I was used to in Arabic countries, no fear."
"Fish and chips; Free speech"
"Freedom of Speech, State Benefits, Clean Water, High Wages"
The WORST things about living in Britain (examples)
"Council flats, yobs, drunks at night, anti-social behaviour"
"The racism, institutional and otherwise. The education system. The lack of morals (lager louts, football hooliganism). Propaganda (media and otherwise)."
"Racist people who often judge people by the stereotype given to them. social benefits and housing, NHS, high taxes, people are not encouraged or incentivised to do better to succeed, people are given more attention (and money) if they fail"
"We let in too many radical people"
"Tony Blair; UK foreign policy"
"Double standards, valuing some more then others."
"Being a citizen of a country which has unjustified attacking other Muslim countries. And as a result of the wars - we as British citizens are now under attack from terrorists. It's not because terrorists are against the western ideology and freedoms! (Islam gave woman the right to vote 1300 years before Britain.) News reports for every suicide bombing, yet no/very limited coverage of the many more Palestinians killed every month"
"The yob culture. The lack of discipline in schools. Low adult literacy."
"Racism. Alcoholism. Teen pregnancy."
"Racist people who breed hatred between us and want to split us up, They need to be thrown in prison."
"The worse thing I hate about the UK is the immigration rules. They should be tighter. Britain has become so slack they are letting in any Tom, Dick and Harry into the country and these people are just taking the piss out of the system."
"Domination by America in all things - culturally and politically."
"High taxation. A lack of immigration control is allowing people with terrorist agendas to move freely in the country. The Human Rights Act should be scrapped so Britain can control its own affairs accordingly without being accused of infringing a suspect's 'human rights' when they have no regards for others."
"Having to live amongst groups such as Combat 18, BNP who terrorise Muslims and incite hatred against Muslims."
"I think Britain is slowly losing its identity as a free and just country due to the new anti-terrorism bills past through government. Especially Muslims are being held without any evidence without trial for indefinitely. Britain has introduced draconian laws which are undermining Human rights. These very laws can play into the hands of the Terrorist incited more hatred towards the west and adds fuel to the fire of the case of Muslims being treated badly, or double standards."
"Lack of care for green issues."
"The weather, taxes and persecution of motorists"
"The Government's blatant ignorance towards the feelings of the British Muslims. War on Iraq and Afghanistan are illegal and this has caused outrage hence leading to 4 young lads committing suicide on 7 July. Tony Blair should take the blame."
"It's very expensive to live here. Too many people let into country"
"Alcohol and its effects on people , the way they treat others and the state of our country because of it."
"Racism, working-class and upper-class culture, right-wing newspapers, mealy-mouthed and hypocritical politicians, class system, low educational standards, the Royal Family, misuse of history to justify Foreign Policy. It can be hard to practice my religion with all the things going on around me and the hostility I receive when I am British as well and so are my parents but people treat me lie I'm a foreigner and don't belong here."
"High Taxes, Lack of Halal meat availability at super markets such as ASDA, Sainsburys etc, not enough annual holidays as compared to Mainland Europe"
"The unpredictable weather, traffic, and colds in winter and hayfever in summer."
"The way that police treat innocent Muslims as suspects, even before the 07-07-05 bombings. Arresting 100s of innocent people and locking them up. This has led to Muslims mistrusting the police and being afraid they may be victimised."
"Stressful life style. Not celebrating other festivals ie not having time off for RAMADAN OR EID like you get at CHRISTMAS, EASTER etc."?
For further information on this survey please visit: http://www.yougov.com/
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