By IRNA,
London : British Muslims have welcomed the findings of an ongoing international survey that dispels many myths about the UK’s two million Muslim community.
“The poll reveals a triumph of fact over opinion – it challenges the idea that Muslims have divided loyalties, are separatist and, because of their faith and religiosity, have nothing in common with fellow Britons,” the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said.
MCB secretary general Abdul Bari commended the study conducted by Gallup and the Coexist Foundation and said he hoped it will “bring about a qualitative contribution to the discussion on British Muslims.”
The poll published Thursday charts the attitudes of Muslims and the wider public, showing that 82% of British Muslims are loyal to the UK by highlighting many indicators of belonging, the opposite to prevalent myths.
It found that the exaggerated Muslim-West gap was based more on differences in attitudes, including toward sexual liberalisation and gender issues, rather than democracy and governance.
Bari said that Muslims for far too long had been subjected to “cynical opinion masquerading as fact.” British Muslims are “very much part of this nation’s cultural, social and economic fabric,” he said.
But he also warned that “naysayers” will want to tell you otherwise and will seek to continue to drive a wedge between Muslims and fellow Britons.
“British Muslims must redouble their effort and take part in the national conversation to challenge attitudes,” the MCB secretary general said.
“Otherwise we will continue to witness a polarization of attitudes that facilitate acts of violence as witnessed earlier this week against a mosque in Luton,” he warned.
MCB, which represents some 500 mosques, Islamic associations and charities, said that Muslims needed to remain wary of the challenges shown in the poll in finding that although 82% of British Muslims feel loyal to Britain, almost half of the British public felt the opposite.