A new report – Social Discrimination: Across the Muslim Divide – surveyed 1,200 British Muslims and reveals that 80 per cent had experienced discrimination. The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said this is double the figure reported in 2000.

The events of September the 11th are widely believed to be behind this upsurge in prejudice, which incorporates both sexes and all ages. It has led to calls for the government to take systematic action to address the issue.

One of the authors of the report and IHRC spokesman, Arzu Merali, said:

“What’s happened, post 9/11, is that some very deeply rooted prejudices – things that weren’t articulated in the public realm – have found expression. This is a wake-up call for Britain. The British government cannot continue to ignore the depth and nature of anti-Muslim prejudice in the UK.”

Case studies included in the report highlight the types of discrimination British Muslims face which, unfortunately, extends to the workplace. Although not the overtly violent types of abuse that have been reported on public transport, for example, the prejudice takes on more subtle forms such as being overlooked for promotion or at interview stage.

White British Muslims claim to be more discriminated against than any other ethnic group, which suggests Britons are intolerant of apostates who convert to Islam. A mere 15 per cent said they had never experienced discrimination on the basis of their faith.

The government is committed to introducing legislation to outlaw incitement to hatred on religious grounds. At present, such laws only exist to protect people on the basis of their colour, race, gender or ethnic origin.