British Muslim
A muslim man prays during a prayer session for murdered aid worker Alan Henning in Manchester Central Mosque in Manchester, north west England on October 4, 2014. Getty Images

According to new research, British Muslims find it hardest to secure work or managerial positions at workplaces out of any minority group in the UK.

Using data from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey of over half a million people, researchers Dr. Nabil Khattab of Bristol University and Professor Ron Johnston discovered that skin colour is less significant these days in comparison to religion, as a trait that attracts discrimination.

If this persists, it could have long-term implications for the cohesion of the UK's multi-ethnic, multicultural society. The exclusion of well-qualified black and Muslim individuals could undermine their willingness to integrate in the wider society.
- Dr. Nabil Khattab

Dr. Khattab said the research findings are "likely to stem from placing Muslims collectively at the lowest stratum within the country's racial or ethno-cultural system due to growing Islamophobia and hostility against them," reported The Independent.

"They [Muslims] are perceived as disloyal and as a threat rather than just as a disadvantaged minority. Within this climate, many employers will be discouraged from employing qualified Muslims, especially if there are others from their own groups or others from less threatening groups who can fill these jobs."

The research findings revealed that Muslim men were 76 per cent less likely to be employed compared to white, male British Christians of the same qualifications and age.

A similar comparison for Muslim women reveals 65 per cent Muslim Pakistanis, 55 per cent Muslim Indians and 51 per cent Muslim Bangladeshis are less likely to be employed compared to equally qualified and same age White Christian women.

British Jews, however, were revealed to have higher chances of employment compared to British Christians with British Jewish men and women being 15 and 29 per cent more likely to be employed.

The researchers concluded that out of the 14 ethno-religious groups in the UK, Muslims find it hardest to secure employment in the UK.

"If this persists, it could have long-term implications for the cohesion of the UK's multi-ethnic, multicultural society. The exclusion of well-qualified black and Muslim individuals could undermine their willingness to integrate in the wider society," said Dr. Khattab.