Two in five Britons think Muslims cannot integrate in UK, poll finds
Government’s former extremism adviser sounds alarm as idea that diversity is harmful becomes ‘mainstream view’Two in five Britons believe Muslims cannot integrate into British soci
By The Guardian
Two in five Britons believe Muslims cannot integrate into British society, according to a new report that has prompted former government extremism adviser Sara Khan to warn that the idea that diversity is harmful is becoming a mainstream view. The findings reveal a stark disconnect between public perception and the reality of Muslim attitudes, with 85 per cent of Muslims expressing a clear favour for integration, a figure that contrasts sharply with the pessimism held by a significant portion of the wider population.
Khan, who stood down in 2024 as the UK’s first counter-extremism commissioner, highlighted that more than half of Britons also believe the country’s national identity is disappearing due to diversity, suggesting a deepening anxiety about the nation’s social fabric. The report, authored by Khan, underscores a growing cultural rift where the narrative of incompatibility is gaining traction despite evidence of Muslim attachment to the UK.
Surveys consistently show that over half of British Muslims want to fully integrate and feel a strong attachment to the country, reinforcing the fact that the community does not resist integration. This data challenges the prevailing assumption that Muslims seek to dominate rather than join, a claim sometimes made by political commentators but unsupported by the empirical evidence of Muslim civic engagement and desire for belonging.
The perception that multiculturalism is damaging the nation appears to be driven by a fear that the social contract is broken, a sentiment echoed in broader studies finding that a majority of people believe Britain’s social contract is fractured. Khan’s alarm is particularly focused on the mainstreaming of the view that diversity is harmful, which she argues is a dangerous shift that could undermine efforts to foster cohesion.
The report suggests that this view is not merely a fringe opinion but is held by a substantial segment of the public, with two out of every five Britons thinking multiculturalism is mucking up the country. This sentiment is compounded by the perception that the UK has become less tolerant after Brexit, a feeling reported by British Muslims who note a decline in social acceptance.
The tension between the desire for integration and the public’s resistance to it creates a challenging environment for communities striving to build a shared future. The report also touches on the broader context of social anxiety, where the idea that national identity is disappearing is linked to fears about immigration and multiculturalism.
While some commentators argue that Muslims are not integrating because they refuse to accept an alien culture, the evidence from Khan’s report shows that the majority of Muslims are actively favouring integration. This discrepancy highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the issues, one that recognises the genuine desire of Muslims to belong and contribute to British society.
The fear that diversity is eroding national identity appears to be a reaction to a perceived loss of control, rather than a reflection of the actual attitudes of the Muslim community. Sara Khan’s warning serves as a call to address the growing narrative that diversity is harmful, which she believes is becoming a mainstream view that could have long-term consequences for social cohesion.
The report’s findings suggest that the public’s perception of Muslims is out of step with the reality of Muslim attitudes, with 85 per cent of Muslims favouring integration. This gap between perception and reality is a critical issue that needs to be addressed through dialogue and education, to ensure that the narrative of incompatibility does not become the dominant view.
The report also notes that more than half of British Muslims want to fully integrate, a fact that should be central to any discussion about the role of Muslims in British society. The broader implications of the report extend to the social contract, which many believe is broken, and the perception that national identity is disappearing.
These concerns are not unique to the issue of Muslim integration but are part of a wider anxiety about the direction of the country. Khan’s work highlights the need to challenge the mainstreaming of the view that diversity is harmful, and to promote a more inclusive understanding of what it means to be British.
The report’s findings suggest that the Muslim community is not the problem, but rather that the problem lies in the public’s perception of the community, which is often based on fear rather than evidence. In conclusion, the report by Sara Khan provides a clear picture of the disconnect between public perception and Muslim attitudes, with two in five Britons believing Muslims cannot integrate while 85 per cent of Muslims favour integration.
The warning that the idea that diversity is harmful is becoming a mainstream view is a serious concern that needs to be addressed to prevent further social fragmentation. The evidence shows that British Muslims do not resist integration and feel a strong attachment to the UK, a fact that should be at the heart of any discussion about the future of British society.
The report’s findings call for a renewed effort to foster cohesion and to challenge the narrative that diversity is harmful, to ensure that the UK remains a place where all communities can thrive.