I watched a television documentary last night that was about the Muslims that are living in Britain today. There is 1.8 Million Muslims here. This show was digging into just what they wanted, and what would make them happy living here. I guess the free education and healthcare just isn't enough. They did a survey that interviewed over 1000 Muslims from all over England. They interviewed many on their own, and the programme basically told you what they had found out and showed some of these interviews and it tried to give you a wide view of Muslims. To be honest the views and beliefs they hold are pretty varied. The people who made this programme believe this is why things haven't turned to nasty so far regarding relations between Muslims and everyone else. They believe once they do start standing together on certain issues, and they feel that they aren't getting listened to, things could take a turn for the worse. This programme gave me a great insight into just what they think. People who live in the same area as me, who I see on a regular basis. Yet do I have any Muslim friends? I am ashamed to say that I don't. Not intentional on my part. I just don't like people. That's not the point though, this programme gave me insight into just what Muslims feel, who are supposedly integrated into our society.

93% of those Muslims surveyed believe themselves to be highly religious. That isn't something very shocking. However, out of those that were surveyed it found the younger generations were much more religious than their parents and grandparents. Muslims are becoming more religious, not less. Even though apparently these younger generations are much more integrated into our society than their parents, they are turning to religion more and more for the answers they are looking for. It is also widely believed that those that turn to extreme measures to get their point across are angry young men, from poor areas, that aren't educated. This simply isn't the case. Knowledge is power, the more educated they become, and the more they learn, the more it seems they feel passionately about their beliefs, and their religion. It seems they put a great amount of emphasis on religion, but they live in a society, in a country, that on the whole, doesn't. At some point this is going to lead to conflict. Whether we like it or not.

When asked about their thoughts on terroist attacks, many of them agreed with the terroist attacks and conspiracy theories that go with them. By a large majority, the Sept 11th attacks were dismissed as an act of the American government and nothing else. They also believe that the London Attacks here were for a good enough reason. In their opinion they were commited by young men who felt that they weren't getting listened to, and in their minds the only way that they would be listened to was by commiting such an act. So many people have died in Iraq, yet they don't all get a minutes silence, but those that died in the London Bombings do. These are the comments made by Muslims who were interviewed, they sound bitter and angry about such things. That their suffering is not recognised. They also believe the conspiracy theories about Princess Diana, she was killed because they could not allow a Muslim in the royal family, and if she had a baby...woahhh...that could never happen! They seem to believe that we are completely against them, and they constantly feel they have to justify and fight their own corners. No wonder there is such anger amongst them.

I think one of the key factors that was pointed out in this programme was just how different our lifestyles are to those Muslims that live around us. We drink, smoke, have sex before marriage, some of us our gay. To muslims this is just completely wrong, and any Muslims that were interviewed commented on how difficult they found it to balance their religion with British society. Four out of ten of those interviewed were offended by British behaviour. They don't like how women are seen as sexual objects, how men go out and get drunk, they don't agree with how we bring our children up, and believe that we should be much stricter with them. Half of Muslims don't want gay people to work in our schools, and believe them to be a lost cause and not normal.

There are many stereotypes flying about regarding Muslims, and what the British think of them. The relationship is not becoming any easier. 66% of Muslim women cover their faces here. In the eyes of the British they see this, generally, as a negative thing. They fee that Muslim women are treated as second class citizens and are made to do this. When in reality that simply isn't the case. Many of them want to do it, and they want to do it as a sign of dedication to their religion. No one made them do it.

Then there are other Muslims, who believe by living here, and enjoying what Britain has to offer you have to take on the laws of the land, and respect what happens here. That you have to take the good with the bad, and you have a choice. You don't have to be here if you don't wish to be. You made that choice, and you made it because you wanted to enjoy the resources that are available to you here. So then why turn your nose up at the way we choose to live our lives. We aren't keeping you here. If you don't like it, leave. In their eyes it is that simple.

Many Muslims simply would like to see everyone in Britain become Muslim. Islam is superior, and man made laws are not the answer, we should live by the laws of religion. Half of muslims want to send their children to Islamic Schools. Where they feel they will be taught correctly. They want England to be an Islamic state. For the greater good. Even now many parents send their children to Islamic schools at the weekends, so they can recieve the correct teachings.

Now as I said earlier the main problem for Muslims is, they don't feel they speak with one voice, and they don't feel they are represented by anyone. 86% feels no Muslim group represents them. No one speaks out for them, and what they want. And what is the one thing they want? Well that is......they don't agree with freedom of speech, that in their eyes should have its limits, and this is something they really do have their knickers in a twist about. They believe that what Britain needs the most is boundaries and limitations, and people should not be allowed to speak out about Muslims, and insult their religion. An example is the Danish cartoons. They were highly offended by these, and believe they should be stopped. 78% think the cartoonists should be punished.

Currently the police here are not helping the relationships and just adding to the unease. Four out of ten said that they felt the police harrassed Muslims, and 56% fear they will be a victim of religious persecution. Many believe that they are doing all they can to flush out extremists in their community. 8 out of 10 believe that anyone who knows of a terroist attack and does not take action, is as guilty as those actually doing it. Blair created tension when he commented on how the Muslim community was not helping with inquiries. They want to be seen in a positive light, and like they are helping. Because many of them are, and they feel they are continually just percvieved in a negative light. With some of the views that were put forward in this programme, I would say it would be difficult not to be.