Number of ‘Muslim’ children in Britain doubles in a decade
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11406700/Number-of-Muslim-children-in-Britain-doubles-in-a-decade.html
Landmark study shows number of children under five being brought up as Muslim rose 80 per cent in a decade while three quarters of Muslims in UK identify themselves solely as British
Overall 2.7 million people living in England and Wales on census day in 2011 – and another 81,000 across Scotland and Northern Ireland – described themselves as Muslim.
That is up from just under 1.6 million in 2001 – a 75 per cent jump.
Among children under the age of five the rate of increase was more than 80 per cent.
Strikingly, although just over half of Muslims living in Britain were born abroad, almost three quarters identifed themselves exclusively as British in the census.
Significantly, Muslims make up more than a fifth of the population in 26 parliamentary constituencies and around 50 per cent in some areas. There are also 70 council wards with a Muslim population of 40 per cent or more.
Muslims are around twice as likely to be unemployed or homeless and almost a third of members of some communities have little or no English – a trait most marked among older people and new arrivals.
But the proportion of Muslims with no formal qualifications has plummeted in the last decade – although it remains just above average at 26 per cent.
The report warns against “alarmist” interpretations of the rise adding: “A section of the society comprising one in 20 of persons in the overall population can hardly ‘take over’.”
“Even if immigration stopped tomorrow it is clear that in due course by the middle of this century or a bit later, 10 per cent of the population of Britain will be of Muslim heritage.”
He said that is likely to change political decisions and social attitudes on both a local and national level.
“You could see the effect with local authorities making accommodation with swimming baths where there are women-only swimming periods,” he said.
He added: “It is also possible that there would be an impact on foreign policy – that there would be greater scepticism of involvement in foreign wars where the adversary is predominantly Muslim.”
He said it was noticeable that while younger Muslims identify more closely with Britain than their parents’ generation, many have also simultaneously turned towards their faith for a sense of identity.
Prof Anthony Heath, the Oxford University sociologist, said: “We shouldn’t be alarmist, the majority of younger Muslims are talking advantage of British educational opportunities, they are going to university in pretty high numbers, we are finding higher levels of gender equality.
“But there is no point beating about the bush about sympathy for Isis and extremist movements although that is a tiny minority – a very worrying minority.
“It shouldn’t distract [from the fact] that the average is showing a greater integration and a greater commitment to Britain.”
“This report shows the successes in our community but also highlights the many challenges we face.
“The data provides a basis for a discussion within the community and poses some serious policy issues for the Government.”
Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: “What is not in doubt is that British Muslims can be proud of the contribution they make to our country.”
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