muslim youth futures.

Muslim Youth, Ready to Build a Better Britain – Yet Shut Out, Says New Report

A new study from Goldsmiths, University of London, commissioned by Here For Youth, reveals that Generation Z British Muslims are faith-driven, ambitious, and eager to contribute to society, yet face systemic barriers both inside and outside their communities.

The Muslim Youth Futures Report , co-authored by Andy Turner and Aisha Khan, published by the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, offers the first in-depth analysis of Muslim youth sentiment in the wake of the Southport riots. It captures the hopes, frustrations, and leadership potential of young Muslims determined to shape Britain’s future but tired of being spoken for.

Based on 158 in-depth consultations with young Muslims aged 16–25 across Birmingham, Leeds, Luton, Blackburn and London, alongside 28 youth and civic leaders , the research reveals three urgent truths:

• Aspirational yet marginalised: young Muslims have strong civic and professional ambitions but feel excluded by Islamophobia, media bias, and political neglect.

• Faith as a force for good: Islamic values are inspiring a new generation committed to justice, service, and ethical leadership, rather than division.

• Mosques must modernise: participants called for mosques to become more inclusive of women and youth, investing in safe, creative and welcoming spaces.

The report, commissioned by Here For Youth , a youth work charity that accredits community organisations on the effectiveness of their youth engagement provision, was funded by Islamic Relief, the Aziz Foundation, and Goldsmiths University of London , and calls for a National Muslim Youth Investment Fund and Infrastructure Organisation to support leadership pipelines, mentoring, and faith-literate youth work.

The Goldsmiths Faith and Society Unit develops interdisciplinary research and exchanges knowledge to help religion, belief, and non-belief groups work effectively with policymakers and practitioners.

“This project was born from the need to listen” , said Andy Turner, co-author of the report and co-director of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths University of London. “Young British Muslims are spoken about rather than engaged with and treated as a challenge to be managed instead of a generation that is ready to lead. What we heard was a deep pride in faith and identity, but also a frustration at being sidelined. Their message is clear: they are ready to help build a fairer, more hopeful Britain if only others are ready to listen.”

“There is fantastic work happening at the grassroots for Muslim Youth” said Rukasana Bhaijee, trustee at Here For Youth. “Our aim was to highlight the many organisations and individuals across the UK that are opening up and using their community spaces to engage young people, providing them with a safe, third space to be and mentors to set them up for a lifetime of success.”

One 22-year-old participant from Birmingham said:

“We’re told to be part of Britain but not trusted to shape it. Faith gives us strength, but the system keeps putting up walls.”

Another young woman from Leeds added:

“Mosques need to reflect the people who fill them, young, diverse, and female. We want to belong, not be boxed out.”

The findings highlight both pride and pain: a generation proud of its Muslimness but weary of suspicion and under-representation. Yet, amid frustration lies determination — to rebuild bridges, renew youth work, and create a fairer, more hopeful Britain.

Jehangir Malik OBE , Project Director of Muslim Youth Futures:

“What struck us most was the consistency of what we heard, whether in Birmingham, Leeds, Blackburn, London or Luton, young Muslims told the same story. They are proud of their faith, determined to contribute, and deeply aware of the barriers holding them back both within their own communities and across wider society. The message was loud and clear: the lack of investment in youth work, mentoring and leadership opportunities is costing Britain talent, trust and cohesion. These young people are not a problem to be fixed, they are an asset to be backed.”

Asha Ali Rage , a mum of three and founder of Dream Chasers based in Small Heath, Birmingham, has backed the report’s findings. From a project that started as a ‘kick about’ in a local park, Dream Chasers has grown into a social enterprise for young people providing a safe space, life skills and opportunities.

“ This new report [shines a light on that gap and] gives us real clarity about what must change: inclusive youth leadership, faith-literate support, and meaningful investment. I welcome it wholeheartedly, and I believe if we act on its recommendations, we can open up a whole new generation to belong, to lead and to help build a stronger Britain for all.”

ENDS

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Goldsmiths University of London Press Office, [email protected]
Here For Youth, [email protected]

EDITORS NOTE:

Interviews available, contact Goldsmiths University of London Press Office or Here For Youth

This report was launched in Parliament on Tuesday, 11th November 2025, hosted by Naz Shah MP and Sarah Owen MP, Chair of The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims.

About Here For Youth

Here For Youth is a registered charity that focuses on making youth work simple. It has been delivering open youth work sessions in hundreds of communities across the UK since 2011.

Since 2022, it has focused on accrediting local community organisations on the effectiveness of their youth engagement provision. It does so through its ‘Youth Engagement Framework’, which it has successfully deployed in 100 communities across the UK. Through its programme on ‘How To Effectively Engage Teenagers’, it has trained and certified 1,000+ youth work volunteers, who now engage with more than 3,500 teenagers each week in their local area.