Talking freely about Islam 'feared more than any other religion'

A recent survey by the Commission for Countering Extremism reveals that people are more fearful of speaking about Islam than any other religion. Nearly twice as many adults feel the need to hold back their views on Islam compared to Christianity. Safety concerns and the desire to avoid causing offense are primary reasons for this hesitation.

The study, involving 2,500 participants, highlights that 38% of respondents felt constrained in discussing Islamic topics. This contrasts with 25% for Jewish topics and 17% for Christianity.

Researchers noted significant differences in attitudes across age groups and demographics, particularly among older, white males without a university education. The findings also indicate that many believe Islam is protected “too much,” with 39% holding this view.

The study to be released tomorrow comes as the UK Government works on drawing up a new definition of Islamophobia.

The context includes rising anti-Muslim sentiment following recent events, raising concerns about potential impacts on free speech.