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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
