Home Correspondent
One in five Britons believe Muslims are more demonised than any other religious group, with over a third of respondents saying they have witnessed anti-Muslim behaviour at work or in educational settings.
Commissioned by the Bradford-based charity Better Communities Bradford (BCB), the survey—carried out by Research Without Barriers in June—offers a stark view of how embedded Islamophobia remains in everyday life.
One in ten respondents reported seeing anti-Muslim incidents regularly, revealing how discrimination is often normalised in spaces where people live, learn, and work.
According to the latest Home Office statistics, Muslims—despite making up only 6.5% of the UK population—are the victims in 42% of all recorded religious hate crimes. BCB says these figures underline the urgency of addressing rising hate not just reactively but through proactive, long-term engagement focused on empathy and inclusion.
Nearly half (46%) of UK adults reported that they most often encounter negative stereotypes or misinformation about Muslims on social media, highlighting the significant role of digital platforms in spreading Islamophobic narratives. Around 20% said they encounter such content in public settings such as shops, public transport, or events.
Another 20% identified political discourse as a frequent source of anti-Muslim rhetoric, while about 16% said they experience it mainly in their workplace or place of study. The survey also found that 38% of adults have directly witnessed anti-Muslim behaviour or comments in either professional or educational environments.
While earlier phrasing referred to “one in five” Brits believing Muslims face the highest level of demonisation, the survey’s broader data places that figure at 22% of respondents. Abbas Najib, CEO of Better Communities Bradford, said the survey findings reflect deep-rooted, systemic issues. “This is the inevitable result of the consistent, methodical racism exhibited by sections of the media and political class against Muslims,” he said.
“Islamophobia in the UK isn’t a fringe problem—it reflects deep structural prejudice, political and media manipulation, and the deliberate promotion of misinformation against Muslims. There’s nothing accidental about this.”
BCB has launched Project Unity in response to the findings, a year-long nationwide initiative designed to tackle anti-Muslim prejudice through education and evidence-based dialogue. The programme is being delivered across schools, universities, workplaces, public institutions, and community venues, with a particular focus in Yorkshire and the North of England.
The charity emphasises that tackling Islamophobia must go beyond awareness campaigns and lead to institutional change. By encouraging open conversation and challenging misinformation, BCB aims to support both Muslim communities and the wider public in building more cohesive, inclusive environments.
(Photo credit: Freepix)
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