History of Islam in the United Kingdom

Coin minted with Islamic inscription by Offa, King of Mercia, one of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms as a copy of coin issued by contemporary Muslim ruler Caliph Al-Mansur.

Britain referenced in early Islamic geographical literature by Ahmad ibn Rustah, describing the islands of ‘Bratiniya’.

Early Islamic philosophy and science translated into Latin and learnt in England.

English author Geoffrey Chaucer references work by Avicenna – one of the most significant thinkers and writers of the Islamic Golden Age – in ‘The Pardoner’s Tale’. Avicenna’s ‘The Canon of Medicine’ (1025) was a standard text for medical students until 18^th Century.

Muhammad al-Annuri, principal secretary to Moroccan ruler Ahmad al-Mansur, attends Elizabeth’s court to negotiate Anglo-Moroccan alliance against Spain. This alliance flourished at his behest. He was also instrumental in developing trade links between England and Morocco with Queen Elizabeth.

John Nelson is earliest recorded Englishman known to have converted to Islam.

First English version of the Qur’an by Alexander Ross, translated from Andre Du Ryer’s French version.

Image courtesy of the Folger Shakespeare Library

First coffee house opens in London. This introduced coffee, which was only available due to the newly-forged trade routes with the Islamic world, to London. From 1670-1685 the number of coffee houses in the city multiplies. They gain political importance due to being popular places for debate.

First large group of Muslims arrive from India. They are sailors recruited there by a trading company, and they arrive in England to earn a living and are employed in various companies across the land. Others arrive from Sylhet in Bangladesh.

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George Sale produces first translation of the Qur’an direct from Arabic to English. Further English translations by clergymen John Rodwell (1861) and E H Palmer (1880).

Opening of Suez canal prompts further wave of Muslim immigration. Increased trade brings Yemeni and Somali labourers to work in the ports of Cardiff, Liverpool, London and Pollockshields. Estimated 70,000 – 80,000 Yemenis living in Britain, becoming country’s longest-established Muslim group.

Liverpool solicitor William Henry Quilliam converts to Islam in Morocco and goes on to found the Liverpool mosque and the Muslim Institute. Edits weekly publication The Islamic World and the Crescent. Founds Madina House, an orphanage in Liverpool.

First purpose built mosque opens in Woking. Established by Gottlieb Leitner, Jewish ex-Registrar of the University of Punjab with financial backing from the Begum Shah, Jahan of Bhopal. Mosque falls into disuse after Leitner’s death in 1899 but later resurrected by Indian lawyer Khwaja Kamuluddin who establishes the Woking Muslim Mission in 1912.

English convert Lord Headley (Al-Haj El-Farooq) establishes the British Muslim Society.

British Army enlists over 500,000 Indian soldiers. 25% are thought to be Muslim. Since the Indian Mutiny of 1857 the British Establishment appears sensitive to their needs and respecting the Qur’an is written into British Army’s handbook: “The religious customs and prejudices of Indians are to be respected. Officers will take special care that no act of theirs, of their subordinates, violates the sanctity of any place held sacred by the Indians.”

Marmaduke Pickthall, celebrated novelist and Muslim convert, translates the Qur’an into English directly from 1924 Egyptian Royal Tradition edition. His version is considered the first official modern version of the Qur’an and he is widely credited in causing the biggest shift in British understanding of the holy book. He was also fluent in Arabic, and an exhaustive traveller of the Islamic world.

Qur’an is read for first time on BBC Radio on October 6 in a programme called ‘The Sphinx’. Recorded in Cairo the programme features the voice of Sheikh Mohammed Rifat, famed throughout the Arabic world for his style of delivery. For most Britons this is the first time they hear words from the Qur’an spoken aloud.

Muslim immigrants, mostly men, arrive from India and Pakistan after partition. Migration is encouraged due to labour shortages in Britain especially in the steel and textile industries in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Muslim population estimated at 23,000 in 1951.

Next wave of Muslim immigrants arrives from Africa, mainly Kenya and Uganda where many Asians suffer discrimination. Then from 1990-2000 a wave of Somali migrants arrives in the UK.

Queen Elizabeth II opens Festival of Islam and the Race Relations Act is passed. Complexity of racial discrimination captured by the phrase ‘race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin.’ Religious identity is not viewed as sufficiently significant. Critics say the act bypasses the Muslim community.

Mohammed Sarwar becomes first Muslim MP holding Govan for Labour. Born in Pakistan near Faisalabad he moves to Scotland in the 70s and becomes a success businessman operating a chain of cash and carry stores. Retires from British politics and becomes Governor of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province in 2013, retiring in 2015.

First female Muslim MPs elected in general election. Rushanara Ali (first person of Bangladeshi origin to be elected to the House of Commons), Shabana Mahmood and Yasmin Qureshi.

Sadiq Khan becomes the first Muslim Mayor of London.