British Muslims have more faith in UK than Britons, study finds

British Muslims have more faith in UK than Britons, study finds

www.timesonline.co.uk

British Muslims identify with Britain far more than the general public and have more confidence in the country’s institutions, according to research published today.

The results of the survey, which showed that 77 per cent of British Muslims were loyal to Britain compared with 36 per cent of the general public, challenge a perception that the community is less patriotic than the country at large. It also recorded that the community had more confidence in British courts, elections, financial

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Well, there you have it. The results of this survey may surprise a lot of people. British Muslims appear to be more loyal to the UK than majority of British people!

Yet the media continues to regularly print stories that portray British Muslims in a bad light.

I am not suprised myself that majority of British Muslims feel this way. I am however extremely surprised that only 36% of the general British public feels loyal to their country.

Could this be because British people feel more loyal to their individual country (England/Scotland/Wales/N.Ireland) rather than the UK as a whole?

Edit to add:

If anyone's interested in the full results of this poll you can download the Gallup Coexist Index 2009 Study results in PDF here

www.timesonline.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 8-5-2009 by Nammu]

That's because they as well as the white unworking chavs and numerous others are the ones destroying it and rebuilding it in their own image. Obviously they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them.

[edit]
And the reason I don't feel loyal to this country is that it gives me nothing back all I get is tax, tax and more tax, they just take away and give nothing in return, roads that a full of pot holes, police that can do nothing, an education system that is in tatters, a justice service that favours the criminal and a national health service that is managed like a hot potato.

I hate what the government has allowed this country to become.

[edit on 8/5/2009 by spitefulgod]

All my Muslims friends are Monarchists, whereas I am a republican and I am not surprised by the results of this survey. Compare that to the parasites who watch the Jeremy Kyle show and accumulate money from the welfare system.

You may wish to consider the converse though... Britain in the modern age is not the Britain that I wish it to be. Faith in it's institutions, legal system and government has been eroded. Why would "the general public" have faith in an infrastructure that regularly let them down?

Clearly, since I am not a Muslim I cannot comment on why Muslims feel such faith in the UK, however, as a member of the "general public" I can be sure that this is the worst state I have seen our fair and pleasant land in, surprising since I was one of the "3,000,000" during Margaret Thatcher's premiership. I suppose, they key difference between "then" and "now" is that, whether you loved or hated her, you knew where she stood and you knew where you stood. There was no wishy-washyness.

Belief in the government and the institutions of Britain is *not* patriotism per se. In fact, being a patriot is likely to attract the label of "right wing fanatic" or "racist", just look at the furore over St. Georges Day (albeit, specific to England of course).

I am sure that the "64%" love Britain, but have become disillusioned since that "love" is unrequited. Who can be patriotic about seeing their nation ruined?

Another key factor is the historical nature of "Britain" being a "UK". People with long memories and even longer family ties to this island will inevitably have different opinions about whether the Scots, Welsh, Northern Irish and English are indeed "united". The Scottish have their own nationalistic tendency, and who can blame them? Their history from is littered with antagonism between Scotland and England, perhaps the 1707 union being the final kick in the groin. The Welsh, subjugated by the English. The Irish, well do we need a history lesson? Clearly the status quo marks Northern Ireland as British and the indigenous residents vehemently protect this status but in the great scheme of things it must be considered as "Irish", withstanding the protocols and assumptions of the union since 1921.

The UK has always been an uneasy union and one that misses the point that we all started off as very separate and distinct ethnic groups, the English being the most mixed up and ethnically disparate bunch of the lot!

I have a soft spot for Britain, but my county comes first, then my country and then the union.

[edit on 8-5-2009 by SugarCube]

Yep muslims, because of how their religion was founded and the history of it, are more sheep, in general, to the government. Look at all the muslims countries, religion and politics are ALWAYS linked. They themselves link politics and religion, going against a politic leader is at the same time going against your religious leader.... which is very hard for any religious person.

The other religions public has woken up from the tyranny of the current UK government because in their religion, politics and religion are not linked.

So that's why the UK government brings in millions of muslims, so it can make obediants slaves like they like them.

reply to post by Vitchilo


You do understand the term "Arab Nationalism" is purely secular because the individuals felt restricted under the Ottoman Empire? Why majority of Palestinians and Syrians are secular and do not trust Islamic nationalism.

Originally posted by spitefulgod
And the reason I don't feel loyal to this country is that it gives me nothing back all I get is tax, tax and more tax, they just take away and give nothing in return, roads that a full of pot holes, police that can do nothing, an education system that is in tatters and a national health service that is managed like a hot potato.

I hate what the government has allowed this country to become.

[edit on 8/5/2009 by spitefulgod]

I hear you there! But even if this country is in tatters, due to the fault of the government, do you not still feel loyal to your country and proud to be British? I think this survey can be taken two ways and it really depends on how the questions were worded.

On one hand it could be viewed that majority of the British public feels that the country is going to the dogs and therefore answered that they are not loyal to their country. Whereas British Muslims, even with the faults, feel it's a great place to live and so appear more patriotic.

On the other hand it may be because the British public feels more loyal to their own individual country rather than Britain. Wheras a British Muslim is more likely to be patriotic to the country as a whole. Personally, i'd count myself as Scottish before British and have way way way more Scottish patriotism that British any day.

Really, i think it's probably a combination of both.

on viewing pornography, 35 per cent of the public thought doing so was acceptable, compared with 1 per cent of Muslims

Considering the amount of pornography available at newsagents, service stations, television, the internet and so on I'd bet my house that more than 35% of the public consume it. Is it the case of people saying one thing and doing another or are the people they interviewed for the survey from more religious backgrounds or something along those lines?

Also of note is the segregation of Muslims from the "public" - are they not members too? Surely to be accurate it would be a comparison of Muslims against non-Muslims/other religions or lack thereof. Mind games are being played, it's always fun to point them out.



[edit on 8-5-2009 by Goathief]

Originally posted by infinite
All my Muslims friends are Monarchists, whereas I am a republican and I am not surprised by the results of this survey. Compare that to the parasites who watch the Jeremy Kyle show and accumulate money from the welfare system.

I've found exactly the same thing myself, infinite. Star from me. I belive our British ways and nationalism is harmed more by neds (chavs) any day than Muslims.

Yet the media still continues to focus on single, silly, negative muslim influences and sensationalises them to paint all British Muslims in a bad light. In the meantime we have a bunch of dole scroungers that are really ruining the country.

I agree with spitefulgod.

Naturally those who benefit from the system (white, benefits class chavs; and muslims) will say that things are great at the moment.

Meanwhile the real backbone of Britain has already left.

It's astonishing how a Labour government has made me lose faith in the future of the entire country... its a horrible feeling to have. Unfortunately I can't help it.

I don't see the industriousness British character of the past in the people of the present. I certainly don't see infrastructure and institutional greatness in the UK anymore (except perhaps vestiges remain in London).

reply to post by Goathief


Yup, some nice media manipulation in there too. Divide and conquer. It makes discussing the topic very difficult because you're forced to use the terms 'British Muslims' and 'general British public', but British Muslims are the general British public!

Not a single person I know of would have taken part in that survey, they dont even ask 1000 people and yet arrive at conclusions of population percentages views. Amazing!


[edit on 8-5-2009 by Horus12]

I'm not suprised in the least.

They are the one's who are getting all the benefit's and the government / system seems to be giving every effort to accomodate and appease them whilst willfully disregarding the wishes and well being of the majority of Brits.

I am a proud Englishman and Briton who has nothing but disgust for the country we have been turned into.

reply to post by Freeborn


Yup, our government certainly has ruined this country with our benefit culture. I'm all for support in finding work and job seekers allowance, but they've taken it too far and truth is, it's just way too easy to collect benefits and not get a job. Personally, i've never met a Muslim that's on benefits, but I have met plenty of white athiest neds that can work fine but just don't bother.

I don't see that British Muslims get any more benefit or different benefits than British non-Muslims though. Can you point me to some information on that? As far as i understood it's the same system for all British nationalsl.

Open for abuse by all as well, might i add.

reply to post by Nammu


I think that Freeborn's point about "benefits" concerns political attitude rather than "social security handouts". We have seen a startling rise in "political correctness" over the last 12 years that seems to favour an immigrant population whilst degrading the rights of incumbent Britons.

Religious politics has hit the headlines aplenty and inevitably, the media concentrates on promulgating the belief that radical Imams can say what they like against Britain (England in particular) and yet any criticism of Islam is regarded as a punishable offence, or at least an "intimidatory offence" since we do not appear to have free speech any longer. Speak out about concerns of Islam and you are labelled a religious xenophobe, even barred from the country if you are a Dutch MP.

This is not to say that all the concerns are correct or based in fact, but the media likes to play the game of shaking the hornet's nest. Immigration appears out of control - certainly not simply a result of Muslim population - but we "feel" that the status quo of the country we are used to living in is under attack, to be changed to something that has been brought in rather than has grown from "indigenous" roots.


We are under a rear-attack from a growing sub-strata of humanity that comprises the "chavs" (admitting that the term is not necessarily an insult), we appear under attack from a frontal assault of religious and ethnic immigration, we are stuck in the middle and nobody appears to hear our voices. What are we to do but despair?

Have you ever lived on 55 GBP per week? its anything but easy and certainly not enjoyable. Its not as if you can fly to paris for the weekend, heck I have spent double that on a night out on the town.

Iv experienced being unemployed 1st hand and it was far from enjoyable and if my last experience of benefits was anything to go by, it certainly wasnt easy to get.

I know a lot of people in the construction trade who are struggling to get work right now. So being able to work and finding a job are 2 different things.


I have also met muslims who have claimed benifits in multiple names(using english and non english names) so your point is?


The majority of people who are cheating the system are those who are on sickness benefit, when they dont need it.


[edit on 8-5-2009 by Horus12]

reply to post by Nammu


The benefit system as a whole needs completely dismantling and restructuring to resemble that which it was initially intended to be; a crutch to help people back to work and to help the needy and infirm who through no fault of their own have fallen on hard times.
Unfortunately it has now become a lifestyle aid for all and sundry, including non- UK citizens.

However, when I used the term 'benefit's' in my previous post I didn't mean just from the Welfare State rather how the government, MSM and the PC Brigade seem to defend and support Islam at every opportunity, sometimes at the expense or detriment of non-Muslims.

If through my poor choice and use of grammar I have misled or confused people then I must apologise.

Originally posted by SugarCube
I have a soft spot for Britain, but my county comes first, then my country and then the union.

[edit on 8-5-2009 by SugarCube]

Out of interest SugarCube, what county do you come from? (if you don't mind me asking).

I guess if someone asked me 'Where are you from?' my answer would be Glasgow first, Scotland second and UK third, then the world (screw Europe). I've never really thought about my Glaswegian loyalty in that way before and you raise a really good point with that statement. Thanks for that.

Funny thing is, i'm an Ayrshire lass originally, but home is where the heart lies, eh?

reply to post by Freeborn


Ah ok, sorry for the misinterpretation there Freeborn

I see what you mean now. It's reverse discrimination from the government and PC brigade mixed with proper discrimination and reverse discrimination from the MSM making the general population just plain and simply p'd off about the whole thing.

But it's never the fault of British Muslims. That's mostly white anglo-saxon portayal causing the problem. I love chatting with British Asians about things like the police dog that got removed from the police campaign cause it offended one shopkeeper, or stopping kids singing the 3 little pigs at nursery cause it might offend them, or people saying 'happy holidays' instead of 'merry christmas', or even that one today with the dentist. Every muslim i've discussed these with think it's hilarious that anyone thinks any of that is a good idea. At the same time though they're scared that this is the way they're being viewed. Like everyone has to walk on eggshells around them.