A recent survey showed that the British are more anti-immigration than people in other European countries and those in the US and Canada.
But now another survey has shown that British Muslims are the most patriotic in Europe, as well as the most integrated.
An average of 78 per cent of UK Muslims identified themselves as British, compared with 49 per cent of French Muslims who consider themselves French. Just 23 of German Muslims feel German.
The study focused on two areas of Britain with large Muslim populations - the city of Leicester and the Waltham Forest area of London.
The survey also found that Muslims born in Britain were more likely to feel British than those born abroad. In Leicester, 72 per cent of Muslims born abroad said they felt British, compared to 94 per cent of UK-born Muslims.
Researchers believe the reasons why French and German Muslims are less patriotic than their British counterparts are that Muslims have only been allowed citizenship in Germany since the 1990s and that France has a very divisive history with its colonies, such as Algeria. And the British have probably done more than other Europeans to make Muslims integrate into society.
British Muslims are the 'most patriotic and best integrated' in Europe
By Graham Smith
13th December 2009
Daily Mail
Muslims in Britain are the most patriotic and best integrated in Europe, according to a new study.
An average 78 per cent of UK Muslims identified themselves as British, compared with 49 per cent of Muslims who consider themselves French and just 23 per cent who feel German.
The British average falls by six points to 72 per cent in east London, although it stands at 82.4 per cent in Leicester.
Integrated: An average 78 per cent of UK Muslims identified themselves as British
The results come in a report funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros and published in the Sunday Times.
Based on 2,200 detailed interviews conducted over a two-and-a-half year period, the findings suggest Muslims in Britain are substantially better integrated than in the rest of Europe.
Strength of religious belief made no difference to how patriotic Muslims feel, the report found.
The figures appear to contradict previous polls that concluded some Muslims felt increasingly marginalised and were failing to embrace British values. A Populus survey in 2006 claimed that seven per cent of British Muslims believed suicide attacks on fellow citizens could be justified.
Leicester has a large Muslim population
In Britain, researchers focused on Leicester and Waltham Forest in East London.
They found that second-generation Muslims were far more likely to have integrated into the British way of life.
In Leicester, held up as a beacon of successful multiculturalism, 72 per cent of Muslims born abroad said they felt British, compared to 94 per cent of UK-born Muslims.
Nazia Hussain, director of the Soros research project, said: 'There is a disturbing message that emerges from these findings. Even though Muslims overwhelmingly feel British, they're not seen as British by wider society.
'That said, there has been a policy of trying to accommodate difference here and it appears to be paying off.'
The Soros report found that 55 per cent of European Muslims believe that religious and racial discrimination have risen since 2004.
Researchers believe that the reason so many German Muslims feel less patriotic is because they have only been allowed citizenship in Germany since the 1990s, while France's divisive history with its colonies including Algeria explains the low percentage of national identity there.
As well as 2,200 in-depth interviews the report also focused on 60 focus groups across 11 European cities with large populations.
Patriotic pride
The percentage of Muslims in each European city who identify with their country of residence:
Leicester (UK) - 82.4%
London (UK) - 72.0 %
Amsterdam (Netherlands) - 59.0 %
Marseilles (France) - 58.0%
Antwerp (Belgium) - 55.1%
Paris (France) - 41.0%
Stockholm (Sweden) - 41.0%
Copenhagen (Denmark) - 39.6%
Berlin (Germany) - 25.0%
Hamburg (Germany)- 22.0%
dailymail.co.uk
But now another survey has shown that British Muslims are the most patriotic in Europe, as well as the most integrated.
An average of 78 per cent of UK Muslims identified themselves as British, compared with 49 per cent of French Muslims who consider themselves French. Just 23 of German Muslims feel German.
The study focused on two areas of Britain with large Muslim populations - the city of Leicester and the Waltham Forest area of London.
The survey also found that Muslims born in Britain were more likely to feel British than those born abroad. In Leicester, 72 per cent of Muslims born abroad said they felt British, compared to 94 per cent of UK-born Muslims.
Researchers believe the reasons why French and German Muslims are less patriotic than their British counterparts are that Muslims have only been allowed citizenship in Germany since the 1990s and that France has a very divisive history with its colonies, such as Algeria. And the British have probably done more than other Europeans to make Muslims integrate into society.
British Muslims are the 'most patriotic and best integrated' in Europe
By Graham Smith
13th December 2009
Daily Mail
Muslims in Britain are the most patriotic and best integrated in Europe, according to a new study.
An average 78 per cent of UK Muslims identified themselves as British, compared with 49 per cent of Muslims who consider themselves French and just 23 per cent who feel German.
The British average falls by six points to 72 per cent in east London, although it stands at 82.4 per cent in Leicester.
Integrated: An average 78 per cent of UK Muslims identified themselves as British
The results come in a report funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros and published in the Sunday Times.
Based on 2,200 detailed interviews conducted over a two-and-a-half year period, the findings suggest Muslims in Britain are substantially better integrated than in the rest of Europe.
Strength of religious belief made no difference to how patriotic Muslims feel, the report found.
The figures appear to contradict previous polls that concluded some Muslims felt increasingly marginalised and were failing to embrace British values. A Populus survey in 2006 claimed that seven per cent of British Muslims believed suicide attacks on fellow citizens could be justified.
Leicester has a large Muslim population
In Britain, researchers focused on Leicester and Waltham Forest in East London.
They found that second-generation Muslims were far more likely to have integrated into the British way of life.
In Leicester, held up as a beacon of successful multiculturalism, 72 per cent of Muslims born abroad said they felt British, compared to 94 per cent of UK-born Muslims.
Nazia Hussain, director of the Soros research project, said: 'There is a disturbing message that emerges from these findings. Even though Muslims overwhelmingly feel British, they're not seen as British by wider society.
'That said, there has been a policy of trying to accommodate difference here and it appears to be paying off.'
The Soros report found that 55 per cent of European Muslims believe that religious and racial discrimination have risen since 2004.
Researchers believe that the reason so many German Muslims feel less patriotic is because they have only been allowed citizenship in Germany since the 1990s, while France's divisive history with its colonies including Algeria explains the low percentage of national identity there.
As well as 2,200 in-depth interviews the report also focused on 60 focus groups across 11 European cities with large populations.
Patriotic pride
The percentage of Muslims in each European city who identify with their country of residence:
Leicester (UK) - 82.4%
London (UK) - 72.0 %
Amsterdam (Netherlands) - 59.0 %
Marseilles (France) - 58.0%
Antwerp (Belgium) - 55.1%
Paris (France) - 41.0%
Stockholm (Sweden) - 41.0%
Copenhagen (Denmark) - 39.6%
Berlin (Germany) - 25.0%
Hamburg (Germany)- 22.0%
dailymail.co.uk
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