Contribution of Muslims to Communities 2025-03-13

Opened the debate

Ramadan 2025 marks the first I am observing since being elected as an MP. As Glasgow South West's ethnic-minority and Muslim MP, I highlight the significant contributions Muslims make to society. Over 76,000 Muslims live in Scotland, with nearly one in six residing in my constituency. Their charitable donations amount to £1.79 billion annually, four times more than the national average. They contribute over £25 billion a year to the British economy and have increased educational attainment; 32.3% of Muslims held degree-level qualifications by 2021. During the pandemic, many served on the frontline despite heightened risks, with some making ultimate sacrifices. The Muslim community transformed mosques into testing and vaccination hubs, saving lives. Historically, at least 2.5 million Muslims fought in both world wars, including my grandfather who was interned during WWII.

Government Response

As the first Muslim female Minister, I congratulate Dr Ahmed on highlighting the positive role Muslims play in communities. Over 4 million Muslims live across the UK, contributing significantly to society through charitable donations and economic activities. Anti-Muslim hate incidents have increased, with over 6,000 reported last year. This trend should concern us all as it undermines social cohesion. However, we must not mistake compassion for weakness; compassion often shows strength and bravery in confronting difficult issues. The Government acted decisively during the summer riots to protect mosques and those at risk of violent attacks. We also hosted iftars at Westminster Hall and Downing Street, demonstrating our commitment to inclusiveness and acceptance. The Minister thanked Dr Ahmed for securing the debate and acknowledged the importance of Ramadan. He highlighted the contributions of British Muslim communities through historical context and contemporary examples such as the Equi think-tank report which estimated that British Muslims generate £70 billion a year for the UK economy. The Minister also mentioned initiatives like Himmah charity in Nottingham and the London marathon run to raise funds. He acknowledged the significant role Muslims play in public services, including NHS roles filling more than 46,000 positions. Furthermore, he emphasised the Government's support for recognising Muslim war memorials and combating Islamophobia. The Minister also mentioned the importance of Islamic finance in London and the charitable giving practice of Zakat, noting that British Muslims donate four times more to charity than the average UK adult. Despite invaluable contributions, Muslim communities continue to face discrimination and prejudice within our society. Anti-Muslim hatred remains a real and persistent issue, affecting many lives. The sixth anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks serves as a stark reminder of how online hatred can fuel real-world violence. We established a new working group chaired by Dominic Grieve KC to define and tackle anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that all communities in the UK can live free from discrimination and fear. The work of the group will be measured in months rather than years, and we want its members to come back swiftly to help shape our Government’s response to make sure that we are truly standing up against the rise of this hatred. Members of this House can feed into the process through Lord Khan, the Minister for Faith, ensuring that experiences raised by constituents are also raised with the group.