Extremism And The Limits Of Tolerance
A new poll shows that almost half of British Muslims hold extremist or antisemitic views.
According to a new poll from the Henry Jackson Society, an anti-extremism think tank, almost half of British Muslims hold views that could be considered antisemitic or extreme.
The survey, released on the sixth-month anniversary of the October 7th pogrom in Israel, revealed that only 24 percent of British Muslims believe Hamas committed murder and rape within Israel compared to 62 percent of the general public.
Meanwhile, 52 percent want to make it illegal to show a picture of the prophet Mohammed, compared to 16 percent of the general public.
Disturbingly, almost half of British Muslims also hold antisemitic views, with 49 percent believing that Israel does not have a right to exist as a Jewish homeland compared to 12 percent of the public. Furthermore, 46 percent of British Muslims say that Jews have too much power over UK government policy compared to 16 percent of the wider public.
According to the survey, younger Muslims have the most extreme views, with 53 percent sympathizing more with Hamas than Israel. They are also more likely than older Muslims to want to impose Sharia Law and declare Islam as a national religion.
This all points towards a complete failure to assimilate Muslims into British society. Looking at the evidence, some British Muslims have clearly not been instilled with British values of tolerance and respect. Conspiracy theories about the October 7th pogrom have also been allowed to spread online, leading to an increase in antisemitism which has been measured across the UK.
The Community Security Trust, which monitors antisemitic abuse and violence has recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023, a 589 percent increase from last year.
Among those to respond to the findings include Nigel Farage, who wrote on X: "This polling is the most conclusive proof yet that both Labour and the Tories have allowed into our country huge numbers of people who live apart from the rest of us.”
Farage makes a good point that mass immigration has increased division in society by introducing millions of people with regressive beliefs and values. Looking back with hindsight, it probably wasn’t a good idea to open the floodgates.
But while Mr Farage has linked extremism to diversity and immigration, I believe there is a more important discussion to be had about assimilation and tolerance. British Muslims after all are already living in the UK and aren’t going anywhere. Though many on the far-right want the mass deportation of Muslims from the UK, the vast majority of British people do not believe that this is a desirable policy.
As Mark Littlewood wrote for GB News, “I think the real issue is where we draw the line around tolerance”. In a free society, of course, everyone is free to hold whatever extreme beliefs they like. Some of those beliefs will be extremely conservative, others will be extremely liberal. Having an extreme belief is not a bad thing by itself, it all depends on how someone acts on those beliefs.
According to the harm principle, the cornerstone of liberal philosophy, individuals should have their freedom limited only to prevent harm to other individuals. As British philosopher John Stuart Mill wrote in his essay On Liberty, “The only purpose for which power can be rightly exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” It is this principle that has maintained peace between different Christian groups in the Western world since the 18th century and has mostly protected the religious freedom of minorities from censorship and persecution.
Highlighting extremist views held by Muslims, or anyone in fact, should not be used as a pretext for a draconian crackdown on religious freedom or freedom of speech. These are core Western values that must be upheld. These findings also shouldn’t be used to smear people or to avoid or shut down serious debate. Rather, more speech is needed not less to change hearts and minds. Efforts must be made not just by the government, but also by individuals and communities to appeal to extremists and to deradicalize them. Counter-protests are needed to combat the growing hatred being expressed on the streets of Britain.
People with extremist or antisemitic views need to be called out and confronted. Islamist extremism is a serious issue in the UK, and it needs to be taken more seriously. The climate of fear and the taboo around discussing multiculturalism and Islam needs to end. But that will likely require more protections for freedom of speech, not less.
A focus of minds is needed in the UK. Apathy and indifference on behalf of the British people have led to a society where there is no pressure whatsoever on newcomers to assimilate and adopt British values. If we are to prosper and a healthy democracy, then this must change. Otherwise, the UK faces the real risk of sectarian violence on our streets.