Last week academic Professor Mike Hardy, who is a recognized expert on Islam, called for Europe to embrace Islam http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/07/02/eu-should-embrace-islam-expert.html pointing out that “religious affinity does not make Muslims less likely to identify with their host countries.”

A poll by Gallup last year found that Muslims felt more British than many other communities. The headline finding http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Muslims-trust-Britain-more-than.5247609.jp

was that 77 per cent of Muslims identified with the UK compared to just 50 per cent of the general public.

This contrasts with a YouGov poll in May found shocking levels of prejudice and ignorance among the general population, with 58% associating Islam with extremism and 50% linking the faith to terrorism.

The findings sparked the launch of a poster campaign http://coexistencetrust.org/index.php/news/10/38/Positive-Islam-campaign-is-an-example-to-follow called Inspired by Muhammad.

The contrast between the fact that Muslims feel British, and the attitudes of the British public towards Muslims, show just how much inter-communal work there needs to be done to develop a greater understanding of different faith communities.

The Coexistence Trust believes that a common values between various different faiths is something that needs far greater public debate. Our work on campuses with Jewish and Muslim students aims to build that understanding, however it is an issue that cuts across a number of faiths.

Last week academic Professor Mike Hardy called for Europe to embrace Islam, pointing out that “religious affinity does not make Muslims less likely to identify with their host countries.”

A poll by Gallup last year found that Muslims felt more British than many other communities. The headline finding was that 77 per cent of Muslims identified with the UK compared to just 50 per cent of the general public.

This contrasts with a YouGov poll in May found shocking levels of prejudice and ignorance among the general population, with 58% associating Islam with extremism and 50% linking the faith to terrorism.

The findings sparked the launch of a poster campaign called Inspired by Muhammad.

The contrast between the fact that Muslims feel British, and the attitudes of the British public towards Muslims, show just how much inter-communal work there needs to be done to develop a greater understanding of different faith communities.

The Coexistence Trust believes that a common values between various different faiths is something that needs far greater public debate. Our work on campuses with Jewish and Muslim students aims to build that understanding, however it is an issue that cuts across a number of faiths.