Tell MAMA’s Survey Finds that 1 in 3 British Muslims are considering leaving the U.K

TELL MAMA British Muslim Poll Findings (30th September – 14th October 2024)

The findings of a Tell MAMA and Survation poll with British Muslims carried out 8 weeks after the start of far-right demonstrations after the murder of 3 young girls in Southport, have demonstrated the following:

The Tell MAMA/Survation survey also found some positive and more optimistic findings after the 30th of July far right demonstrations that took part in various parts of the United Kingdom.

These included:

These findings highlight growing fears within British Muslim communities and these findings should also be read in conjunction with the Tell MAMA/Survation poll conducted with British Muslims from the 15th of July to the 29th of July 2024. (In this poll, 550 British Muslims were surveyed and the polling took place just before the far right riots that have formed a benchmark for the latest Tell MAMA/Survation No2H8 November campaign poll.)

The recent poll also demonstrates that a substantive number of British Muslims polled feel that their local mosques are at risk from far-right extremist groups. Tell MAMA also understands that the ‘Places of Worship Protective Security Fund’continues to try and meet the security needs of local places of worship such as mosques. (This scheme is administered by the Home Office).

The Tell MAMA/Survation poll also worryingly points to 1 in 3 British Muslims seeking to leave the U.K. and to move to other countries. These findings do demonstrate that local police forces, local authorities, local political leaders, national government and statutory authorities all have a role in re-assuring local faith communities such as Muslim communities, particularly around their safety and security.

Of particular concern is that 7 in 10 British Muslims who were polled say that anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia has become more widespread post the 30th of July demonstrations.

Finally, it is also clear that the recent far right demonstrations have added to a sense in about half of the British Muslim polled, that they are willing to assert their Muslim identity in a more open and transparent manner, rather than shying away from asserting this part of their identity. This is an interesting and heartening finding and also points somewhat as a reaction to anti-Muslim commentary and actions by far-right groups.

Speaking on the findings of the Tell MAMA/Survation poll, the Director of Tell MAMA said:

“The poll findings demonstrate that anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia is having significant impacts on Britain’s Muslim communities. The findings show that much more work needs to be undertaken in re-assuring Britain’s Muslim communities and in supporting the social cohesion in our local areas. The findings should be a wake-up call for Central Government.

In the weeks since the riots at the end of July, Tell Mama has been inundated with calls from members of the public who have been shouted at aggressively and threatened to be killed, some have been spat at and assaulted. There has also been an increase in online reports including calls to burn down mosques, calls for mass migration and calls for Muslims and migrants to be killed.

Tell MAMA continues to support the victims of anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia in a number of ways since 2011. We help them report incidents to Police or work with employers when incidents occur in the workplace.  We are an ‘always-on’ service for those who need us both in terms of practical, legal and emotional support.

But there must now be a laser like focus from the government on preventing the causes of anti-Muslim and Islamophobia. We must see Central Government acknowledge that much more work needs to be done in re-assuring British Muslim communities and in making real long-term commitments to challenging such hate”.

NOTES 

Survation (on behalf of Tell MAMA), contacted 750 members of the Muslim communities in the UK – online or by telephone between 30 September 2024 and 14 October 2024.