Former EHRC head: 'Integration of Muslims will probably be the hardest task we've ever faced'

A former head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has admitted that the integration of Muslims "will probably be the hardest task we've ever faced".

Trevor Phillips made the comments in the Sunday Times, following the findings of a survey highlighting Muslim attitudes towards issues such as polygamy, sex, sharia law, and even terrorist acts. 

The poll, conducted by ICM, found that almost a third of 1,801 Muslim adults surveyed believe that it is acceptable to have more than one wife – even though this is illegal in Britain – and almost a quarter supported the introduction of sharia law in Muslim majority areas of Britain.

Commenting on the survey's findings, Trevor Phillips warned that we are "in danger of sacrificing a generation of young British people to values that are antithetical to the beliefs of most of us, including many Muslims".

A documentary, called 'What British Muslims Really Think', will air on Channel 4 this Wednesday at 10pm. Presented by Mr Phillips, it will discuss the full findings of the survey. 
 

Lack of integration 

80% of Muslims surveyed said they were happy living in Britain, yet they also admitted to staying within their own communities. 

One in five said that they never enter a non-Muslim household. 

Guyana-born Mr Phillips, who chaired the EHRC between 2006 and 2012, had conducted a survey 20 years ago on Muslims in the UK, which he now concedes highly underestimated the number of Muslims living in Britain.
 

'I should have known better'

Commenting on the latest survey's findings, he said that they highlight a reality of Muslim attitudes in Britain that contradicts his earlier views. 

"I thought Europe's Muslims would gradually blend into the landscape. I should have known better," he said. 

"Britain desperately wants us to think of its Muslims as versions of the Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, or the cheeky-chappy athlete Mo Farah.

"But thanks to the most detailed and comprehensive survey of British Muslim opinion yet conducted, we know that just isn't how it is."

He concluded:

"The integration of Muslims will probably be the hardest task we've ever faced. It will mean abandoning the milk and water multiculturalism still so beloved of many and adopting a far more muscular approach to integration."

Trevor Phillips has previously said that Britain should not expect the Muslim community to integrate. He made the comments in January this year, after Prime Minister David Cameron said that Muslims who do not learn English could lose their right to remain in the UK. 
 

Failure of multiculturalism 

Mr Phillip's latest admission echoes repeated concerns from Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali. 

In 2010, Bishop Michael spoke to BBC Hardtalk about the failure of multiculturalism, saying: 

"Multiculturalism is saying 'we don't know who we are, we don't know you are, now let's get on with our lives separately'".

Bishop Michael argued that this has resulted in isolated communities, which has given "the opportunity for extremists to peddle their wares".
 

Further resources

The documentary 'What British Muslims Really Think' highlights the complexities of Islam in Britain. 

Although some are highly integrated into British life, many adopt more of a pick and mix approach, adhering to parts of the Qur’an but not all. 

A growing minority self-identify as more strictly Qur'anically Muslim. Some such followers believe themselves to be the only true Muslims, adhering to true Islam.

For those interested, Sam Solomon, Christian Concern's Islamic Affairs advisor and a former sharia judge, has written a number of books explaining the true nature of Islam.

His book 'Al-Hijra: The Islamic Doctrine of Immigration' explains how hard-line Islamists seek to make 'conquests' of Western nations through immigration – and how this at the heart of Islamic doctrine. 

Related Links: 
Muslims should not be expected to integrate, says former Equalities head
Bishop Nazir-Ali: 'Multiculturalism was a mistake' (BBC) 
Half of Muslims say gays should be outlawed (Sunday Times £)