Britain is home to one of the most diverse Muslim communities on Earth. The largest communities originate from south Asia, but there are also many Arab and African communities, as well as Muslims from south-east Asia, the Balkans and Turkey. There are also many Muslims who have converted to Islam from other faiths.
Our strong bonds of faith bring us closer together.
Islam is the second largest faith group in the United Kingdom. As a faith community, we transcend colour or race.
We are indeed a diverse community of communities, with the rich mosaic that makes the Muslim world represented in our British Muslim community. But we are bound by a common commitment to God, Allah, and his last Prophet, and the ethos to serve Him and seek the common good.
British Muslims Help Put the ‘Great’ into Great Britain
Muslim communities are spread throughout the British Isles, and are represented in all areas of British economic, cultural and political life.
From small businesses to restaurants, from law and accountancy to IT, from the National Health Service to teaching, transport and public services, from politics and the media to sport, art and fashion, Muslims are making a valuable contribution to Britain’s multi-ethnic, multi-faith society
We are a Young Community of Growing Communities.
British Muslims are part of a young and growing community with the majority of Muslims being under the age of 19.
47% of Muslims were born in the UK. There are 290,000 Muslims between the ages of 9-14 years old. 53.9% of Muslims are under 19 years of age.
British Muslims are Rooted in British History.
Muslims have a long association with the British Isles, from Elizabeth the First, to Elizabeth the Second; from shops offering sherbets in Shakespeare’s London to Muslim soldiers responding to the call to arms.
The history of Muslims in Britain stretched for over 1000 years. For example, in the eighth century, King Offa minted coins bearing the Islamic Arabic inscription ‘In the name of God, the most Merciful, the Most Beneficent’. There have been trading ties with the Muslim world. But it was not until the rise of Empire did Britain see a deepening relationship with Muslims. The Eighteenth century saw the first large groups of Muslims arriving to Britain.
Striving together for a better future in Britain.
Today, Muslims living across Britain come from a vast range of national and cultural backgrounds.
The population includes a significant number of British and European converts to Islam. Others have come from war-torn countries to find a better life in Britain.