Poll reveals 40pc of Muslims want sharia law

[__Kratos__]

Four out of 10 British Muslims want sharia law introduced into parts of the country, a survey reveals today.

The ICM opinion poll also indicates that a fifth have sympathy with the "feelings and motives" of the suicide bombers who attacked London last July 7, killing 52 people, although 99 per cent thought the bombers were wrong to carry out the atrocity.

50pc said interracial relations were worsening

Overall, the findings depict a Muslim community becoming more radical and feeling more alienated from mainstream society, even though 91 per cent still say they feel loyal to Britain.

The results of the poll, conducted for the Sunday Telegraph, came as thousands of Muslims staged a fresh protest in London yesterday against the publication of cartoons of Mohammed. In Libya, at least 10 people died in protests linked to the caricatures.

And in Pakistan, a cleric was reported to have put a $1 million (£575,000) bounty on the head of the Danish cartoonist who drew the original pictures.

Last night, Sadiq Khan, the Labour MP involved with the official task force set up after the July attacks, said the findings were "alarming". He added: "Vast numbers of Muslims feel disengaged and alienated from mainstream British society." Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "This poll confirms the widespread opposition among British Muslims to the so-called war on terror."

The most startling finding is the high level of support for applying sharia law in "predominantly Muslim" areas of Britain.

Sadiq Khan: 'Alarming'

Islamic law is used in large parts of the Middle East, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, and is enforced by religious police. Special courts can hand down harsh punishments which can include stoning and amputation.

Forty per cent of the British Muslims surveyed said they backed introducing sharia in parts of Britain, while 41 per cent opposed it. Twenty per cent felt sympathy with the July 7 bombers' motives, and 75 per cent did not. One per cent felt the attacks were "right".

Nearly two thirds thought the video images shown last week of British troops beating Iraqi youths were symptomatic of a wider problem in Iraq. Half did not think the soldiers would be "appropriately punished".

Half of the 500 people surveyed said relations between white Britons and Muslims were getting worse. Only just over half thought the conviction of the cleric Abu Hamza for incitement to murder and race hatred was fair.

Mr Khan, the MP for Tooting, said: "We must redouble our efforts to bring Muslims on board with the mainstream community. For all the efforts made since last July, things do not have appear to have got better."

He agreed with Sir Iqbal that the poll showed Muslims still had a "big gripe" about foreign policy, particularly over the war on terror and Iraq.

David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "It shows we have a long way to go to win the battle of ideas within some parts of the Muslim community and why it is absolutely vital that we reinforce the voice of moderate Islam wherever possible."

A spokesman for Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, said: "It is critically important to ensure that Muslims, and all faiths, feel part of modern British society. Today's survey indicates we still have a long way to go… [but] we are committed to working with all faiths to ensure we achieve that end."

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[Guest Lottie]

50pc said interracial relations were worsening

Wow how could that possibly be?

You know what I am going to say....

This is Great Britain it is not an Islamic country. We already have a multicultural society that has been around for decades and we are respectful of their practices what more do these people want?

If they don't like it they can go and take a running jump.

[Anubi]

If that amount of muslims in the uk want sharia law, it isnt britains foreign policy they are so much against, rather, it is the western way of life . so unless britain would want to compromise those facets of society , then these people will never ever be happy . These complaints over iraq etc are just the media-acceptable tenets of ther ideology's . They say also only certain parts of the UK, that is either a lie or just an interrim idea for a sharia law for the whole of the uk .

[PadawanOsswe]

this is the western world, western rules!

if they want sharia law then they can go back to the Middle East!

[billystevo]

I don't live in an area with a big Muslim population, but if they want to live by their laws they should not be in Britain. My local Hospital is like the United Nations , employing everybody from around the world, trouble is most of them don't speak fluent English, and when you try to describe your symptoms to them , it falls on deaf ears.

Allowing anybody into the Country has been a failure in my opinion, its caused more problems than solved things.

The Liberals who believe that we can intergrate have been proved wrong , immigrants go and live with their fellows and make mini states of there brethren and think that we ought to change , to accomodate them.

[AdNauseamSuiGeneris]

I don't live in an area with a big Muslim population, but if they want to live by their laws they should not be in Britain. My local Hospital is like the United Nations , employing everybody from around the world, trouble is most of them don't speak fluent English, and when you try to describe your symptoms to them , it falls on deaf ears.

Allowing anybody into the Country has been a failure in my opinion, its caused more problems than solved things.

The Liberals who believe that we can intergrate have been proved wrong , immigrants go and live with their fellows and make mini states of there brethren and think that we ought to change , to accomodate them.

I have the same problem here in New York. We have a huge booming population of Spanish here, and they don't want to learn English. So we hang signs up in Spanish for them, all telephone numbers have English and Spanish, and so do all Welfare Services. I have a simple solution. STOP ACCOMIDATING THEM AND THEY WILL LEARN ENGLISH. If they can't get their help from the government without knowing the language, believe me they will freaking learn. Why do we have to waste so much tax dollars on accomodating immigrants. When my grandparents came here they were persecuted, had their names changed, worked for less then blacks did at the time, had to start school in kindergarten even though they were 15, ect. ect.

Not that I would ever say to pay immigrants less wages on purpose and persecute them, but the legacy of this country is THEY have to mix into the melting pot. They don't get their own freaking pots!!! :angry2:

[Talon]

this is the western world, western rules!

if they want sharia law then they can go back to the Middle East!

Agreed.

Every week in the news nowadays seems to be Muslims (both moderates and extremists) moaning about our way of life and how they can't fit into our society unless we change it to replicate what they choose to leave behind in the ME. And then people wonder my Islamaphobia is on the rise? Islamaphobia isn't a form of racism or bigotry, its simply being sick and tired of being told how to live in you're own country by people who CHOOSE to move here.

[Rahl]

enoch was right . your old parliament member .

[wunarmdscissor]

THEY CAN KISS MY HAIRY ASS.

1 million muslims cannot and will not dictate to 56 million free people

ever

[thebarman]

1 million muslims cannot and will not dictate to 56 million free people

There are a million of them??!!

Kinda makes the 1% figure that agree with suicide bombing a little bit scarier, that's a potential 100,000 terrorists.

THEY CAN KISS MY HAIRY ASS.

wunarmdscissor's "thought for the day"

[wunarmdscissor]

lol

yeah im sure theres a million in total.

im pretty sure theres 100 000 in scotland alone.

[Imaginary Friend]

Firstly, given that the government of Ontario is entertaining measures to prohibit Sharia law from effecting Canada's Muslim women, I wonder at a poll such as this and it's validity.

Because quite simply a poll in no wise reflects the true platform of an issue. Rather a poll can be manipulated so as to reflect what point the pollster wishes to impart with respect to the issue polled.

For instance, hypothetically speaking of course. Consider the replies of outrage to this poll in this thread alone and with all respect to the opinion makers therein. Now imagine what that temperament does to effect relations amongst those relative to the subject of the poll. i.e. Great Britain, Muslims of Great Britain and Sharia law.

Now consider that there are Muslims that protest the application of such measures, hence their living in democratic societies by choice so as to free themselves from such extremes.

Now consider what this poll has contributed to the issue of: Great Britain and her citizens and the already conflicted atmosphere that attends the Muslim faith generally in all of Europe. (Least we forget the senseless loss of life due to an insulting Cartoon! A cartoon!!!!!)

I would dare ask why. Why is this poll rendered in the first place and what purpose does it serve!? Perhaps it serves to stoke the flames that already flare in that region (again thinking of the cartoon issue alone), so as to lend cause for more fuel to the inflammation among persons, which then lends cause for the government to effect measures to address.

Certainly if a Muslim wishes to abide by Sharia law they are entitled to do so. However it is arrogance to presume to allude to a poll or any other vehicle, that profess a desire by a percentage of the Muslim faithful to incorporate such measures into the whole fabric of an established and polytheistic National territory.

It is presumptions, naive , brazen and ignorant to imagine a minority has the right to command the majority subscribe to one standard and practice of faith or religious observance in a democratic Nation! Indeed, poll or no, if it were indeed true that this percentile of Muslims in GB wished Shira law to take effect, they could very simply attend a country that already commands the authority to do so rather than dare undertake a measure such as is proposed by this poll , to change all of Great Britain to that standard of practice.

Imho, this poll is intended to propagate further upheavel in all of Great Britain. With the Muslims as the scapegoat.

[Thanato]

They tryed to get that here in Ontario so the Ontario government decided that it would stop making special laws for different religus groups.

~Thanato

[The Doctor]

Not trying to offend any muslims here but WTF! seriously for anyone to think that could actually happen is scary

[Talon]

Imho, this poll is intended to propagate further upheavel in all of Great Britain. With the Muslims as the scapegoat.

Oh stop making excuses form them. I'm so sick of Apologists defending everything these people do claiming their the victims.

[Baku]

What is this sharia law? I have never heard of it, can somebody explain?

[thebarman]

What is this sharia law? I have never heard of it, can somebody explain?

Certainly:

Sharia law

[zephyr]

Imho, this poll is intended to propagate further upheavel in all of Great Britain. With the Muslims as the scapegoat

I agree completely with that and most of your post. In fact, the cartoon thing in Denmark was intented as a manipulation of the public opinion in favor of the right wing fascist parties as well. Actually, it is a very simple formula that apparantly works quite well; provoke the Muslims into reacting, then go on blabbing about how primitive and anti-freedom they are basing yourself on some old dogmas about freedom, and then you got the naive and ignorant part of the population that's naturally going to blab about how these backward people should go back to the ME, or god knows where else, and you got the fascist xenephobes clapping their hands and gaining popularity. Just look at the political landscape in Western Europe today, more and more sympathy for extreme right fascist parties, and if it continues like that, it wouldn't be surprising to see neo-Nazis pop up all over the continent and eventually take control of it, or at least some of its governments.

Europe in general has a chronic sickness called racism that's not new, and apparantely has a hard time getting rid of that sickness. That racism used to be against the European Jews and the Gypsies (still is to some extend, but the racists have found a better minority for their venom), and they even managed to start world wars and create events such as the Holocaust as a result of that sickness. And now, it's against the European Muslims, Muslims who in many cases are born and raised in Europe which makes them Europeans, and any problems with them a European problem. Strangely enough though, those Muslims who are exposed to blind racism since they are born are expected to integrate into racist societies that systematically discriminates against them, and if they don't, they should go to the ME! (in the case of Britain, most of them are the children and the grand-children of immigrants from the Indian sub-continent, and we all know how the British colonialists lived by the local cultures and rules when they were over there ). The fact that some of those Muslims look to their religion for shelter and justice is only a natural reaction to the racism they have been exposed to all their lives. The problem of integration won't be solved until Europe gets rid of that disease and accepts the basic fact that the European Muslims are an integral part of the continent and have to be treated as such, unless of course the progressist and moderate forces in Europe want to leave things in the hands of the fascists who are well-experienced with creating Holocausts.

Just take your head out of the sand (snow?) and deal with your own problems that you have created for yourself Europe, and stop wanting to export them to the ME as we already have enough problems of our own to deal with, thank you!

[Talon]

In fact, the cartoon thing in Denmark was intented as a manipulation of the public opinion in favor of the right wing fascist parties as well.

Complete rubbish. zephyr if it wasn't for Muslims rioting over these cartoons nobody in Europe would have known they existed, let alone be 'manipulated' by them. Any Islamiphobia that arose from the Cartoon riots did so because of scenes of Muslims burning down embassies of western nations (some of which had nothing to do with the cartoons), western flags... and KFC restraunts (god knows why). It did not arise because of some cartoons in a newspaper 99.9% of the European population has never heard of.

And as for you're ranting about European-intolerance. Given the attitudes towards the west we're seeing in the ME towards westerners at the moment, you're the last people who can complain about 'European intolerance'.

[PadawanOsswe]

and KFC restraunts (god knows why).

They defiled The Colonel? NOOOOO!!!!

*riots*

[zephyr]

zephyr if it wasn't for Muslims rioting over these cartoons nobody in Europe would have known they existed, let alone be 'manipulated' by them

Yep; in fact the idiots who published the cartoons never even imagined the international dimensions their stupidity would take. All they wanted to do was provoke Danish Muslims' reactions in order to pop up support for the fascists in Denmark.

Any Islamiphobia that arose from the Cartoon riots did so because of scenes of Muslims burning down embassies of western nations (some of which had nothing to do with the cartoons), western flags... and KFC restraunts (god knows why). It did not arise because of some cartoons in a newspaper 99.9% of the European population has never heard of.

The Islamophobia in Europe existed long before the cartoons, all they did was to fuel it some more, with a certain degree of success, I must say.

As for the reasons of burning the KFC restaurant; I suppose some people in Pakistan like their chicken extra-fried!

you're the last people who can complain about 'European intolerance'.

Is that one of the rules of the freedom of expression according to you? I would have preferred to hear you complain about European intolerance, but since I didn't, I felt compelled to do so myself. My complaints are far less costly than if the fascists are allowed to take over Europe once more; then we would have to have the Americans come all the way from the other side of the Atlantic again to get rid of the fascists and put order in the 'old continent'; and we wouldn't want that now, would we? It would of course be best if the Europeans themselves kept the intolerant fascists among them in check by getting rid of the blind hatred they have for their fellow European Muslims and pave the way for their total integration by eliminating their discriminatory approach to them.

[wunarmdscissor]

Zephyr , seeing as you dont live hear i'll give you a little insight inbto our country as you have your own.

This country (and of this i was proud of) is a safehaven for people of all ethnic and religious backrounds.

VERY little racism , perhaps the some of the toughest anti - racist and bigotry laws in the world exxist here. ESPECIALLY in scotland (e have a seperate legal system from the rest of the UK) , where he haave our own unique problem with bigotry (not christian muslim).

This is a more tolerant society than you give us credit for , muslims and most other foreign religions (becuase that is what they are, this IS a christian dominated country) have been given free reign to live as they want , and to follow their religion ion whatever way they please.

They are given nowehere near the harrasment that christians in the muslim world are given and are well protected under our legal systems, so much so that positive discrimination is a problem for white / christrians in this country.

Most of the muslims in this country have come here as refugees, meaning that to get a start in life here nearly all will have started on benefits and welfare, something that they would NEVER be afforded , or anything like it , in their native country.

They are looked after by OUR national health service paid for by the tax payer in this country.

then some cartoon is published in DENMARK and these very same "people" are in the streets of london 6 months after the 7/7 bombings portraying these animals as angels and calling for the destruction of the country which has taken the ungrateful ***** in and not only protected , but allowed these people to prosper.

Then you wonder why there is a rise in right wing groups??

its is not the western people's fault it is the insistance that we must adapt to muslim people's values and not the other way around, for instance that in our schools , daft councilors bowing to muslim pressure groups , it is insisted that we do not call christmas cards by that name anymore, it should be now called greetings cards , so as not to offend the smnall minority of muslim children???

its little things like this which cause resentment, but its big things like calling for the destruction of the very people who have taken care of you which breed hatred.

our people are tolerant , but only so tolerant.

right now it feels as if the muslim world is declaring war on the west , and for what exacltly, a couple of cartoons.

[Talon]

zephyr if it wasn't for Muslims rioting over these cartoons nobody in Europe would have known they existed, let alone be 'manipulated' by them

Yep; in fact the idiots who published the cartoons never even imagined the international dimensions their stupidity would take. All they wanted to do was provoke Danish Muslims' reactions in order to pop up support for the fascists in Denmark.

No Zephyr, we had no idea you people were such nutters are to react this way to drawings

The Islamophobia in Europe existed long before the cartoons, all they did was to fuel it some more, with a certain degree of success, I must say.

Actually you'd be surprised how much these riots are making people hate Islam. Certainly the number of people I know who now say their sick of Islam and want it out of this country has risen since the riots from the fringe to general consensus. We welcoming you into ours country under flags of peace... now we wish we hadn't bothered.

My complaints are far less costly than if the fascists are allowed to take over Europe once more

You really do live in another planet Zephyr. The Nazis are no more going to come to power again in Europe than you're stupid prophesy coming true about Iran being unbeatable because two people still have not been born yet.

The EU is probably most tolerant political organisation on planet. Its so tolerant of others its pathetic. Someone murders someone else, and it argues for their humans rights to keep them out of jail. Some Muslim demands all whites be killed, and the EU demands he not be arrested in case it offends his followers. etc

If you are so naive as to think we're intolerant, then by all means keep pushing us with these riots from moderates, and the bombs from extremists, and force Europe to get rid of the PC clowns. Then you'll find out what intolerance is.

[Guest Lottie]

It would of course be best if the Europeans themselves kept the intolerant fascists among them in check by getting rid of the blind hatred they have for their fellow European Muslims and pave the way for their total integration by eliminating their discriminatory approach to them.

Zephyr there has never been 'blind hatred' for the Muslim population over here. As Wurm said in the UK we have lived peacefully side by side people from all different walks of life / religion/ ethinicities for decades. Everyone who lives in this country is allowed the freedom of speech and expression and to practice their religion as they choose. Any discriminatory approach has only ever been talked of by hard right wing groups like the BNP who are kept in check by our very very tough laws on racism and discrimination... as Wurm said.

We are probably the most culturally diverse and tolerant country in the world. Its not until a bunch of people commit the act of Treason on our streets by making death threats to our people that we begin to get annoyed , Muslims included, can we really be blamed for that?

I cannot however speak for the rest of Europe but considering how the Muslims have intergrated peacefully throughout Europe I imagine it is more or less the same situation.

[zephyr]

This country (and of this i was proud of) is a safehaven for people of all ethnic and religious backrounds

I agree that Britain is a much more tolerant country that some other major European countries such as France and Germany. Look at the French, even the socialists and the communists had to vote for Chirac in order to keep the fascists led by LePen away.

They are given nowehere near the harrasment that christians in the muslim world

Seeing the number of churches and the Christians freely attending them in Iran for example, I am not sure I could agree with you on that. Nevertheless, just because ethnic and religious minority might be harrassed in one place does not necessarily make a heaven out of another place where they are not, it just makes the other place more 'normal'.

meaning that to get a start in life here nearly all will have started on benefits and welfare,

Understanding and respect, as well as justice and equal opportunities are much more efficient in integrating people than charity, and I'm sure most who receive those charities would prefere a little more tolerance and understanding than just free money. This is a common error encountered when dealing with such issues, people saying things such as: "well, we are giving them welfare and other benefits, what else do they want?". If the immigrants (many are no longer even immigrants but the citizens of the different countries they live in), are given equal chances and are able to work and pay taxes, they would naturally feel more responsible towards their societies which in turn helps with the integration problems those societies might be facing. It also takes the burden away from the existing taxpayers who rightly complain about their hard earned money going toward welfare payments to people who might be perfectly able to work and earn their own money.

it is the insistance that we must adapt to muslim people's values and not the other way around

I don't think the Muslims are calling on Non-Muslim Westerners to do the Islamic daily prayers. All that is needed is for the Westerners to realize that Muslims are an integral part of Western societies and have to be treated as such, with equality and respect; something that many in the West have a hard time to understand and digest. Many still believe that Muslims belong to the ME and that a European can not possibly be a Muslim or vice versa; a belief that is obviously not adapted to the realities of today.

Then you wonder why there is a rise in right wing groups??

No, I don't wonder, I can see the fascists hard at work in Europe, but personally have great faith in European progressist, reasonable and moderate forces to keep them in check, inshallah!

right now it feels as if the muslim world is declaring war on the west , and for what exacltly, a couple of cartoons

That's funny; I hear the exact opposite coming out of many Muslim circles, that the West has declared war on them through provocations, etc. I think there is a deep misunderstanding on both sides, and that misunderstanding includes cultures as well as intentions of the people and a great many other factors. It's only through meaningful and intelligent dialogue that those misunderstandings can be cleared up. Unfortunately, publishing stupid cartoons and getting violent about them are not parts of that intelligent and meaningful dialogue.