Isolated young British Muslims are becoming “a national security risk”, a senior Islamic figure has said.
The Gaza conflict has deepened divisions between Muslims and non-Muslims, which could allow extremism to grow on both sides, according to Sheikh Dr Muhammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL).
He is calling for better integration between the groups to prevent a deterioration in relations. “The problem of integration has been exacerbated by the conflict in Gaza and the politics in the Middle East,” he told The Times.
“The Muslim World League calls on Muslims and non-Muslims in the UK instead to focus on domestic issues where there are shared concerns, such as policy areas that unite rather than divide.”
Dr Muhammad al-Issa’s comments come as the MWL published the results of its poll of 5,000 participants, which included more than 450 Muslims.
The Times reported a large perception gap in relations, with almost two thirds of Muslims saying the relationship with non-Muslims was “positive” or “mostly positive”, compared with less than a quarter of non-Muslims.
The poll found young Muslims viewed Britain as far less tolerant than their older counterparts – with less than 10 per cent of those aged 18-24 viewing Britain as a tolerant country.
Disillusioned and alienated
Dr Muhammad al-Issa, who was Saudi minister of justice from 2009 to 2015, said that half of the British Muslim population was under the age of 25 and were growing more disillusioned and alienated as a result of UK foreign policy in the Middle East.
“A political situation outside should not interfere with integration inside,” he added.
Polling also showed younger Muslims were more isolated from mainstream politics and less likely to see integration as an important duty.
“Without integration there is isolation, fear of the other,” Mr Issa said. “That can cause a vacuum that the evil doers will try to fill.”
He added that integration needed to be at the heart of government policy or it would provoke national security issues.
The MWL is an NGO based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which aims to promote Islam and improve global understanding of the religion, as well as challenging extremist narratives.
Dr Muhammad al-Issa became the first prominent Muslim figure to be received by the King at Buckingham Palace in 2023, where they discussed interfaith harmony and co-operation.
Last month, for the first time, the King opened the state rooms at Windsor Castle to Muslims breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. More than 360 guests from all backgrounds gathered in St George’s Hall for Iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal.