Third of Britons see Islam as a threat to their lifestyle

More than a third of Britons see Islam as a threat to the British culture, according to a report by the anti-fascist group Hope not Hate, reports the Guardian.

Out of the 10,000 people interviewed by the group, 35% of them said that Islam threatens the British «way of life». Meanwhile, 49% of the people who voted for the Conservative Party in the 2017 general election believe that the religion contradicts the British values.

The survey reveals that 32% of the people interviewed say that they are some «forbidden» territories in Britain, that are governed by Islamic law. This belief is widespread among nearly half of those who voted for the Conservative party.

On the other hand, 76% of the people interviewed, aged between 18 and 24, feel that diversity is an important component of the British society.  

Hope Not Hate indicated that young people are much more likely to see the benefits of multiculturalism than their parents and grandparents.

The association also found that fears about immigration have turned into anti-Muslim prejudices over the last eight years. «Although most people do not make the connection between extremism and Muslim communities, suspicions have increased after the series of terrorist attacks in 2017», says the NGO.

For the record, five terrorist attacks took place in the UK in 2017 : Westminster (22 March), Manchester Arena (22 May), London (3 June), the Finsbury Park Mosque (18 June) and Parsons Green Metro station (September 15) in London.