Young British Muslims choose faith over national identity

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A recent study reveals that religion takes precedence over nationality for most British Muslims. According to research conducted by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL), which surveyed 815 British Muslims, 71 percent identify primarily with their Muslim faith rather than their British nationality.

The research indicates a notable generational divide, with 85 percent of younger British Muslims prioritizing their religious identity, while 57 percent of older Muslims consider their British identity more significant.

Islam is incompatible with British culture

Far from CONDEMNING grooming gangs, many Muslims WELCOMED them BACK into their communities

We have imported vast numbers whose beliefs & attitudes are abhorrent to our civilised society:

Cousin marriage, forced marriage, child… pic.twitter.com/siYu1nM0BY

— Rafe Heydel-Mankoo (@RafHM) January 12, 2025

One survey participant explained: “When you ask people in their 20s, that were born here, in this country, they can express themselves very freely. They can freely call themselves ‘Muslims’ rather than ‘British’. But if you speak to their father, they will say they are British. The immigrant generation had to push their Muslim identity down so they could integrate.”

IIFL’s Director of Research, Charlotte Littlewood, suggests this trend stems not from religious devotion but rather from feelings of exclusion from British society. Nevertheless, the research revealed that 78 percent of respondents view the UK as more welcoming to Muslims compared to other European nations such as France, Germany, or the Netherlands.

The study also found that most British Muslims prefer living in the UK over Muslim-majority countries, citing Britain’s cultural and religious diversity as allowing their religious practices to blend in more naturally than in predominantly Muslim nations.

If you think we are liars when we say Islam is dangerous to your countries, societies, and civilization, then you should listen to this video of Muslims living in Britain. pic.twitter.com/HG0yqpi4Gc

— Salwan Momika (@Salwan_Momika1) June 13, 2024

However, these findings contrast with a previous Henry Jackson Society poll conducted after the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel. This earlier survey exposed significant differences between British Muslims and the general population on crucial issues, with 46 percent expressing sympathy for Hamas.

The Henry Jackson Society’s research further revealed that 52 percent of British Muslims supported making depictions of Mohammed illegal, while 32 percent expressed a desire for the implementation of Sharia law in the UK.