A major new poll has revealed that half of Britons believe Islam is not compatible with British values, and that Muslim women are pressured into wearing religious head and face coverings. The bombshell revelations come from a new YouGov survey, which also found that 41% of voters believe Muslim immigrants to have a negative impact on the country, compared to between 7 and 15% for immigrants of other religions.
It also discovered that nearly one third of Britons believe that Islam promotes violence. Commissioned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community ahead of their inaugural gathering in Hampshire, organisers insisted that Islam includes “love for one’s nation” as one of its core principles, in an effort to dispel voters’ fears. Caliph Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who will be giving the keynote address at the conference, said: “Many local people are afraid that their societies are changing beyond comprehension and they feel that their nation’s resources are being disproportionately utilised in favour of immigrants. Whilst the term ‘immigrant’ is used, the real issue for most people is ‘Islam’.”
However Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin, who is leading efforts to ban the burka in Britain, told the Express that the poll’s findings are “shocking, but sadly not surprising”.
The Runcorn by-election victor said: “I have raised in Parliament the issue of female face coverings, which many view as a form of cultural suppression.
“Alongside this, the growing incompatibility between certain Islamic practices and Britain’s Christian-based freedoms should concern us all.”
While the three-day Jalsa Salana festival will see the Union Jack flown alongside their black and white Islamic community flag as a symbol that there is no contradiction between Islam and Britain, Ms Pochin fumed: “No flag in the United Kingdom holds equal status to the Union Jack, and the symbolism of flying the black-and-white flag is understandably offensive to those who believe in defending our nation’s traditions, values, and identity.”
While opinions on Islam varied between the ages of those questioned by YouGov, just 37% of 18-24 year olds believe Muslim immigrants have made a positive contribution to Britain.
Mr Ahmad added: “A well-known saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is that ‘love for one’s nation is a part of one’s faith’.
“Given this, how can it be suggested that true Muslims are not loyal citizens or likely to sow seeds of division in society?
“I believe integration requires an immigrant to always seek the betterment of his adopted nation, to be ready for all sacrifices for it and to endeavour to serve his people with sincerity.”
The Hampshire festival will include exhibitions, youth events and prayer sessions, and will be attended by Labour MPs Fleur Anderson and Dame Siobhain McDonagh.
The organisers plan to distribute hundreds of packets of fresh roti breads, cooked on site for the conference, to food banks across the UK, as part of the “Bread for Britain” campaign on Sunday.
