Campaigners target British Muslims as decisive group in referendum

Millions of British Muslims will be urged to register to vote in the EU referendum by their imams on Friday in a move that could be decisive for the Remain campaign.

Half of Britain's 2.7 million Muslims are under 25 and therefore overwhelmingly likely to back Remain. Reuters

The British Muslim Forum (BMF) has supported the #TurnUp campaign to register young voters and asked hundreds of imams to include a message about the EU in their sermons at Friday prayers. 

Polls have indicated Muslims are disproportionately in favour of Remain, unlike the majority of Christians. Sikhs are the only religious group more pro-EU than Muslims, according to a poll by Populus in February.

On top of that half of Britain's 2.7 million Muslims are under 25, an age group overwhelmingly in favour of the EU.

Young people are twice as likely not to be registered to vote as the rest of the population and their turnout is seen as a key factor in an increasingly close poll.

"This is a once in a generation opportunity for people to directly decide the future of the country," said Qari Asim, chief imam of Leeds Makkah Masjid.

"There's no doubt the repercussions of this historic vote will be felt for many years so let the result of EU referendum be down to choice, and not the by-product of apathy. I urge all British Muslims to register to vote by 7 June.

"It's vital that voices of British Muslims are heard in this EU referendum. As British Muslims, we must play our part inthis referendum debate, vote on 23 June and shape the future of our country together."

The #TurnUp campaign is run by the anti-racist group HOPE not hate and youth charity Bite the Ballot. It has been supported by Eddie Izzard and the CBI, both of whom have openly supported Remain.

The campaign will also promote up to 50 'democracy cafes' at Starbucks outlets nationwide to help young people debate issues around the referendum. It aims to register 500,000 young people to vote before the deadline on June 7.

HOPE not hate's deputy director, Jemma Levene, said: "It's crucial to register to vote by the 7 June deadline, and then take time to find out about the key issues, before turning out to vote. We want every part of British society to have their voices heard on 23 June and we want to know we've helped give a voice to all, not just a few."

Unsure whether you are registered? To make sure, you can register to vote here.

related articles
Church of Scotland reaffirms support of EU

Church of Scotland reaffirms support of EU

#DisagreeWell: Christian EU debate attempts to shift poisonous rhetoric
#DisagreeWell: Christian EU debate attempts to shift poisonous rhetoric

#DisagreeWell: Christian EU debate attempts to shift poisonous rhetoric

Good disagreement: Christian principle or vacuous buzzword?
Good disagreement: Christian principle or vacuous buzzword?

Good disagreement: Christian principle or vacuous buzzword?

EU Referendum: Is it as simple as Catholic vs Protestant?
EU Referendum: Is it as simple as Catholic vs Protestant?

EU Referendum: Is it as simple as Catholic vs Protestant?

Senior Church leaders - UK should stay in the EU
Senior Church leaders - UK should stay in the EU

Senior Church leaders - UK should stay in the EU

News
Young people increasingly open to faith and God, research finds
Young people increasingly open to faith and God, research finds

"The time is now. It is urgent," said lead researcher Laura Hancock.

Israeli shelling hits Gaza’s only Catholic Church, killing three and wounding 10
Israeli shelling hits Gaza’s only Catholic Church, killing three and wounding 10

In a rare move, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted an apology on social media.

Fresh attacks on Christians in Syria after deadly church bombing
Fresh attacks on Christians in Syria after deadly church bombing

Can anyone bring peace and order in Syria?

UK government targets 10 countries to protect believers – but have they made the right choices?
UK government targets 10 countries to protect believers – but have they made the right choices?

As Christians face increasing numbers of attacks across the world, the British Foreign Office is to target 10 countries in a bid to get them to improve their record on protecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).