Edinburgh, Dec. 12: A majority of Scots tend to now see Muslims as a threat to their lives and culture following the terrorist attacks in London.

New statistics reported by The Scotsman reveal that while increased immigration from around the world has changed the social make-up of Scotland, a hardcore of people continue to believe that some amount of prejudice is acceptable.

In particular, attitudes towards Muslims and ethnic minorities have deteriorated in recent years. One in five fear that ethnic minorities would take their jobs.

Equality groups said such attitudes are unacceptable in the 21st century and called for the "silent majority" to speak out against prejudice.

It has been estimated Scotland will need 20,000 immigrants every year to save the economy from collapse over the next 30 years.

The Attitudes to Discrimination in Scotland report surveyed around 1,600 people across Scotland between August 2006 and January 2007.

In 2006, 50 per cent of people said that Scotland would begin to lose its identity if more Muslims came to live here compared to 38 per cent in 2003.

Over the same period there was a four-point increase in the proportion who said they would be unhappy about a relative forming a relationship with a Muslim.

According to the report, half of Scots believe that the addition of more Muslims will threaten the country's identity. This despite previous reports finding that Muslims actually feel more Scottish than the population as a whole.

The report blames the international situation. Certainly, the heat generated by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and 7/7, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have created the perception of a West VS Islam paradigm. (ANI)