Friday 8 May 2009

Survey: The Gallup Coexist Index 2009

Ruth Gledhill, Faith Central, Times Online, British Muslims have more faith in UK than Britons, study finds, 8 May 09 "The results of the survey, which showed that 77 per cent of British Muslims were loyal to Britain compared with 36 per cent of the general public, challenge a perception that the community is less patriotic than the country at large. It also recorded that the community had more confidence in British courts, elections, financial bodies and the media than the general public. The survey showed that more than eight out of ten thought that their fellow British Muslims were loyal to the country, but only 36 per cent of the general public did."

Here's the link to the PDF [Gallup Coexist Index 2009], which, needless to say, I haven't read yet. I think it would be a useful document to look at in due course, especially as I'm putting my sections of my Islam & Britian book together.

Also see The Coexist Foundation

Inevitably, the information can be interpreted in different ways:

Daily Mail, Just one in 10 British Muslims feel integrated into society, study claims, 8 May 09 "Dalia Mogahed of the Gallup Centre for Muslim Studies said: 'This shows that many of the assumptions about Muslims and integration couldn't be more wide of the mark. British Muslims want to be part of the wider community and to contribute to society.

"'However in many cases it is a harsh economic reality that holds them back and stops them from realising their full potential.'"