Islam in the United Kingdom

Historically, contact between Britain and the Islamic world began during the Middle Ages and grew during the Elizabethan era as Britain built relationships with places like the Ottoman Empire. As the British Empire grew, Muslims from places like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh began to settle in Britain, especially after World War II.

Today, British Muslims come from many different backgrounds. Many are from South Asia, but there are also Turkish, Arab, and Somali communities, along with about 100,000 people who were born in the UK and chose to follow Islam. The Muslim population in the UK is growing quickly and tends to be younger than other religious groups. Each year, thousands of people decide to follow Islam.

History

Early history

Main articles: List of Arabic loanwords in English and Islam in England

The first signs of Islam in England go back to the 8th century. A king named Offa, from a place called Mercia, made a coin with writing from a faraway land. Later, people from North Africa and the Middle East lived in London, working as diplomats, translators, merchants, and musicians.

In 1627, a group of people from what is now Morocco took over an island called Lundy for five years. They were led by a man named Jan Janszoon, who was a Muslim from the Netherlands. They used a special flag and took some people from Europe to work far away.

Interactions under British Empire

Main articles: Company rule in India and British Raj

When the British took control of a place called Bengal in India in 1757, they began to rule many Muslims. One of the first people from this area to visit Britain was a Muslim teacher and traveler named I'tisam-ud-Din, who wrote about his journey in a book.

Many Muslims came to Britain to work on British ships as sailors, known as lascars. They came mostly from places like Bengal. Some opened the first Indian restaurant in London in 1810.

By World War I, there were over 50,000 people from India working on British ships, many of them Muslim. The first mosque built just for worship in Britain was in a place called Woking in 1889. Another mosque was set up in Liverpool the same year. The first mosque in London opened in 1924.

Immigration and post-World War II

After World War II, many Muslims came to Britain from places like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to help rebuild the country. They worked in many jobs, including in the National Health Service, which cares for sick people.

Unfortunately, some people treated these new neighbors badly. But many young people stood up for their rights, inspired by movements that fought for fairness and equality.

Over time, more Muslims came to Britain, especially after wars in other parts of the world. By 2007, there were over 1,500 mosques in Britain.

Demographics

According to the 2021 United Kingdom census, Muslims in England and Wales numbered 3,868,133, or 6.5% of the population. Northern Ireland recorded a population of 10,870, or 0.6% of the population, with the highest number of Muslims recorded in Belfast. The equivalent census was conducted a year later in Scotland.

The Muslim population of England and Wales has grown since World War II. In 2017, Pew Research Center projected the population of Muslims in the United Kingdom to grow by 2050.

Several large cities have areas where most people are Muslim. It is possible to find small areas that are almost entirely Muslim, for example, Savile Town in Dewsbury.

Initially, prayers were held in small rooms of council flats until the 1980s when more facilities became available. Some buildings were turned into mosques and existing mosques began to expand. Most people regard themselves as part of the ummah, and their identity is based on their religion.

Islam is the third-largest religious group of British Indian people, after Hinduism and Sikhism. 8% of UK Muslims are of Indian descent. The single largest group of Muslims in the United Kingdom are of Pakistani descent. Pakistanis were one of the first South Asian Muslim communities to settle in the United Kingdom, arriving in England first in the late 1940s.

People of Bangladeshi descent are the second largest Muslim community. The majority of these Muslims come from the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. British Bangladeshi Muslims are mainly concentrated in London, Luton, Birmingham and Oldham.

There are large numbers of Gujarati Muslims in Dewsbury, Blackburn, Bolton, Preston, Nottingham, Leicester, Nuneaton, Gloucester and London.

People of Arab origin in Britain are the descendants of Arab immigrants to Britain from a variety of Arab states. Most British Arabs are Sunni Muslim. The main Arab Muslim communities in the UK live in the Greater London area, with smaller numbers living in Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham.

The UK has a significant Iraqi Kurdish population. Iraqi Kurds are mostly Sunni Muslims.

Turks in the United Kingdom represent a unique community in the country. The Turkish community have established several mosques in the country. The first was Shacklewell Lane Mosque, established by the Turkish Cypriot community in 1977.

The history of native British Muslims has a long presence in the country. The earliest known Englishman to convert to Islam was John Nelson of the 16th century. Abdullah Quilliam was a 19th-century Englishman who converted to Islam and built what is argued to be the first mosque in the country in Liverpool.

Year of arrival (2021 census, England and Wales)

1. Born in the UK (51.0%)
2. Before 1971 (2.20%)
3. 1971 to 1980 (3.20%)
4. 1981 to 1990 (4.00%)
5. 1991 to 2000 (7.40%)
6. 2001 to 2010 (13.3%)
7. 2011 to 2021 (18.9%)

Muslims in the United Kingdom by region and country

Region / Country	2021		2011		2001
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
England	3,801,186	6.7%	2,660,116	5.0%	1,524,887	3.1%
—Greater London	1,318,754	15.0%	1,012,823	12.4%	607,083	8.5%
—West Midlands	569,963	9.6%	376,152	6.7%	216,184	4.1%
—North West	563,105	7.6%	356,458	5.1%	204,261	3.0%
—Yorkshire and the Humber	442,533	8.1%	326,050	6.2%	189,089	3.8%
—South East	309,067	3.3%	201,651	2.3%	108,725	1.4%
—East	234,744	3.3%	148,341	2.5%	78,931	1.5%
—East Midlands	210,766	4.3%	140,649	3.1%	70,224	1.7%
—South West	80,152	1.4%	51,228	1.0%	23,465	0.5%
—North East	72,102	2.7%	46,764	1.8%	26,925	1.1%
Scotland	119,872	2.2%	76,737	1.4%	42,557	0.8%
Wales	66,947	2.2%	45,950	1.5%	21,739	0.7%
Northern Ireland	10,870	0.6%	3,832	0.2%	1,943	0.1%
United Kingdom	3,998,875	6.0%	2,786,635	4.4%	1,591,126	2.7%

Branches

See also: Islamic schools and branches

Most British Muslims follow Sunni Islam. A survey found that most British Muslims identify with Sunni Islam. Smaller groups include followers of Shi'a Islam and other Islamic traditions.

Shi'a Islam is a smaller part of the Muslim community in the United Kingdom. Shi'a communities are found mainly in big cities like London. They hold special events each year, such as Ashura and Arba'een.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been in the UK since 1912 and has its main mosque, called The Blessed Mosque, in Surrey. They also have groups for young people and women.

Society

Economics

British Muslims work in many parts of the UK’s economy. They are employees, professionals, and business owners. It is hard to know exactly how much they help the economy because many records don’t track religion. But studies show they are important. One report said Muslims helped the UK economy by about £31 billion each year. Newer estimates say this is now at least £70 billion per year.

Data from 2021 shows that Muslim people in England and Wales often have lower employment rates and higher economic inactivity. This is partly because many are still in school or looking after families, especially women.

Education

About one-third of Muslims in the UK have degrees. This is a little higher than the average. But more Muslims don’t have any formal qualifications compared to others. More Muslim young people are going to university now. In schools, Muslim students—especially girls—often do very well. Some schools with many Muslim students rank at the top nationally.

Politics

Muslims are becoming more active in politics. Many have been elected as Members of Parliament and hold other important jobs. Most support the Labour Party, but some are in the Conservative Party too. In recent elections, more Muslim representatives have been elected, showing they are getting more involved in public service.

Law

In the UK, there are special courts called sharia councils. These help resolve disagreements within Muslim communities. They are not official courts but are used by some families, especially for marriage-related issues. While some leaders support them, there have been concerns about how fair and equal they are.

Media and culture

British Muslims are seen in media and sports. Many work as journalists, news presenters, and on television. In football, Muslim players have made big impacts. Some traditions, like moments of quiet reflection after scoring, show their practices.

Associations

There are many groups and organisations for British Muslims. These groups focus on community support, education, and religious activities. They help bring people together and provide various services.

Proselytisation

Every year, around 5,200 people in the UK choose to become Muslims. Prisons are one place where many people convert. Some prisoners convert for protection, while others are genuinely interested. Mosques sometimes welcome new converts, but not all are always open to these changes.

Extremist ideology

There have been concerns about extremist ideas influencing some British Muslims. Some groups and countries have been accused of supporting extreme views. Security services work to monitor and prevent radical activities. Many British Muslims are worried about extremism and support efforts to prevent it.

Antisemitism

Some British Muslims have expressed negative views about Jewish people, which has caused concern. After recent conflicts in the Middle East, discussions about these attitudes have grown. There have been debates over how to balance free speech with preventing hate speech, especially around issues related to Israel and Palestine.

Relations with wider society

Many British Muslims feel very connected to their religion. They often see themselves as Muslim first and British second. These feelings can change with age and experiences.

In the past, many British Muslims felt a strong sense of belonging to Britain. Newer surveys show that fewer feel they fully belong, but most still feel safe where they live.

Britain is seen as a good place for opportunities. Many British Muslims want better relations between different religious groups. They also take part in community activities and give to charity.

Some people in Britain have negative views about Islam. Sometimes, the media and some politicians have spread unfair ideas about Muslims. This has led to unfair treatment and misunderstanding.

During certain events, like conflicts overseas, some British people have felt more suspicious of Muslims. But many believe that Islam and British values can work together well. Views on these topics often differ depending on age and background.

Unfortunately, some people in Britain have faced unfair treatment because of their religion. There have been cases where people were threatened or attacked just because they were Muslim. This has made some people nervous about talking about Islamic topics.

Overall, while many British Muslims feel proud of their identity and contribute positively to society, there are still challenges with misunderstandings and unfair treatment. Building better relations and understanding between different groups is important for everyone in Britain.

Notable British Muslim figures

For a more comprehensive list, see List of British Muslims.

Many British Muslims have done great work in many areas.

In business, leaders like Sir Anwar Pervez started the Bestway Group. Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa co-founded the EG Group.

In media and entertainment, famous people include musician Yusuf Islam, also known as Cat Stevens. There is also actor and musician Riz Ahmed and television presenter Nadiya Hussain.

In politics, notable Muslims include Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and Humza Yousaf, former First Minister of Scotland.

The sports world has many talented British Muslim athletes. These include long-distance runner Mo Farah and England cricketers Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.

In religion and learning, Abdal Hakim Murad, also known as Timothy Winter, is an Islamic scholar and Dean of the Cambridge Muslim College. Many British Muslims work hard to help others in need.

Notable mosques

See also: List of mosques in the United Kingdom and Category:Mosques in the United Kingdom

Some of the most famous and important mosques in the United Kingdom include:

• Bradford Grand Mosque – A large mosque for worship in West Yorkshire.

• Birmingham Central Mosque – A major mosque and Islamic centre in Birmingham.

• East London Mosque – A well-known mosque in Whitechapel, London.

• London Central Mosque – A famous mosque in Regent's Park, London.

• Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif – A mosque for worship in Birmingham.

• Markazi Masjid, Dewsbury – A European centre of the Tablighi Jamaat.

• Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking – The first mosque built for worship in Britain.

• Cambridge Central Mosque – A mosque designed to be kind to the environment, and Cambridge’s first mosque built for worship.

• Masjid-e-Vali, Blackburn – A large new mosque in Lancashire.

• South Lakes Islamic Centre, Cumbria – A notable mosque for the Lake District area.

• Green Lane Masjid – A large mosque and community centre in Birmingham.

• Glasgow Central Mosque – A well-known mosque and Islamic centre in Scotland.

• Leeds Grand Mosque – A major mosque for Leeds and West Yorkshire.

• Finsbury Park Mosque – A well-known mosque in North London.

• Al-Rahma Mosque (Liverpool) – A large mosque and community complex in Liverpool.

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Bradford Grand Mosque

Birmingham Central Mosque

East London Mosque

London Central Mosque

Ghamkol Sharif Mosque

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Markazi Masjid, Dewsbury

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Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking

Cambridge Central Mosque