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British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) response to the BBC / ICM poll results on British Muslims' allegiance to the UK

25/06/2009

bmsd welcomes news of the latest BBC / ICM poll results released 25th June 2009, which show that 75% of British Muslims pledge loyalty to the UK.  The poll, targeting 500 Muslims, also revealed a reduction in perceptions of Islamophobia since 7/7, with just over half of respondents disagreeing with the view that the British Government, police and people are anti-Muslim.

While British Muslims consider themselves to be loyal citizens and overwhelmingly reject extremist violence (95% of respondents opposed the Taliban's use of suicide bombings and other terrorist activities), their reservations on the UK Government's foreign policy decisions - which are shared by many non-Muslims as well - should be recognised as legitimate concerns and properly addressed.

While it is extremely encouraging that 95% of British Muslims respect the right of women to go out and work, bmsd feels that the society and in particular close knit Muslim communities must go one step further and pro-actively enable Muslim women to seek employment and manage a healthy work-life balance. Regarding the issue of women's dress, freedom of choice is paramount and has been affirmed by 88% of the respondents. bmsd believes that as long as these choices are in keeping with existing laws on indecency, security and health and safety they must be respected.

Dr Shaaz Mahboob of bmsd said: "It is refreshing that the emerging British Muslim opinion is consistent with the democratic values of Britain and they have acknowledged that religious violent extremism is a common enemy that needs to be tackled in partnership with the authorities and the rest of the communities. We are in particular pleased about the overwhelmingly encouraging British Muslim attitude towards women's issues such as their right to employment and topics like the right to divorce for Muslim women. It clearly shows that Muslim communities are moving in the right direction and will no doubt play a positive role in building a better society and strengthening the economy for our future generations".

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Notes to the editors:  

  1. bmsd is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.  
  2. bmsd’s mission statement:   “To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain.”   
  3. bmsd claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. bmsd founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.  
  4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk  
  5. For any further queries, please contact:  Dr Shaaz Mahboob on  shaaz@bmsd.org.uk or 07961365751 or Tehmina Kazi on 0207 631 4175