According to the 2021 Census, approximately 60,000 residents in the London Borough of Waltham Forest identify as Muslim, representing 22% of the borough's population. This figure remains unchanged from 2011 and is significantly higher than the 6.5% average across England.
The most significant Muslim areas in London are concentrated in East London boroughs like Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Redbridge, driven by large Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Indian communities, with Tower Hamlets having the highest proportion of Muslims and the East London Mosque as a major center. Other areas with notable Muslim populations include North London (Haringey, Barnet, Enfield) and parts of West London (Kensington & Chelsea, Brent, Ealing) for Arab communities.
In 2021, 39% of people in Waltham Forest identified as Christian, compared to 48% in 2011: this is lower than the London average (41%), and England average (46%).
A major study conducted by missionary David Garrison, highlighted in his 2014 book “A Wind in the House of Islam,” estimates that between 2 and 7 million Muslims have converted to Christianity worldwide in the past two decades. Garrison calls this movement “the greatest turning of Muslims to Christ in history.”
Here's what happened at Waltham Forest's march for Palestine
Who is the richest Arab family in London?
The Al Thani family from Qatar owns more of London than the King himself. From Harrods to Heathrow… from the Shard to Sainsbury's… their empire stretches across luxury hotels, financial hubs, and historic streets. Backed by billions in gas wealth, they've spent decades buying London piece by piece.
Waltham Forest, situated in the North East of the City, is known for its many famous former-residents; for its contemporary cultural diversity; for its pioneering fusion of arts and labour (from William Morris to Madge Gill to Grayson Perry); for its lush natural spaces, and for many more vibrant reasons, past and ...
Two London boroughs (Tower Hamlets and Hackney) rank as the most deprived regarding income deprivation among children. Alongside Newham, Islington and Southwark, these 5 London boroughs rank as the most deprived regarding income deprivation among older people.
Large-scale immigration of Muslims to Britain began after World War II, as a result of the destruction and labour shortages caused by the war. Muslim migrants from former British colonies, predominantly India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, were recruited in large numbers by government and businesses to rebuild the country.
The most substantial recent changes in the religious composition of London are the significant decrease in Christianity from 58.2% in the 2001 census to 40.7% in the 2021 census, the significant increase in No religion from 15.8% in the 2001 census to 27.1% in the 2021 census, and the significant increase in Islam from ...
It's tremendous news that once again Britain has held its position as the most Muslim friendly destination in the West by the GMTI 2024 report. Britain has ample Halal restaurants, prayer places, and Muslim heritage sites alongside amazing attractions and diverse landscapes.
Our most famous ex-residents include William Morris, Alfred Hitchcock and Beryl Swain. We're the birthplace of two men's England football captains, David Beckham and Harry Kane, and the designer of the iPod, Jonny Ive - all three of whom attended the same local school (although not at the same time).
Yes, Waltham Forest is generally considered a nice area in London, especially praised for families, first-time buyers, and those seeking green spaces with good transport links, offering a mix of modern amenities, cultural spots, and historic charm, though some parts are still developing. It's known for excellent schools, low crime rates compared to London's average, and areas like Walthamstow offering vibrant pubs, markets, and proximity to Epping Forest and Olympic Park facilities.
Demography. The settlements with the largest numbers of Muslims are Birmingham, Bradford, London, Manchester and Leicester. There are also high numbers in Kirklees, Luton, Bolton, Slough, Rochdale and mill towns of Northern England like Oldham and Blackburn.
Crime Statistics Summary for Waltham Forest. Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office. Waltham Forest, a busy London borough, has an overall crime rate of 107.8 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the UK average of 91.7.
There's no single "best" borough, as it depends on your priorities (budget, vibe, commute), but Richmond upon Thames often tops lists for happiness due to green spaces and community, while Islington is praised for its balance of amenities and charm, and Hackney for vibrancy and parks, though it lacks Underground stations. Other popular choices include leafy Wandsworth, cultural Kensington & Chelsea, diverse Tower Hamlets, and up-and-coming Walthamstow, with options catering to different lifestyles from affluent to edgy.
The biggest ethnic group in Walthamstow, and the wider London Borough of Waltham Forest, is White British, though it's a highly diverse area with significant Asian and Black communities, with Asian (including Pakistani) and Black (African/Caribbean) groups being the next largest. The area is known for its rich multicultural mix, with many residents from various backgrounds like Pakistani, African, and Caribbean, alongside a substantial White British population.
There were 1,318,755 Muslims reported in the 2021 census in the Greater London area. In the 2021 census Office for National Statistics, the proportion of Muslims in London had risen to 15% of the population, making Islam the second largest religion in the city after Christianity.
London's “Little Doha”: The Al Thani Family's Property Portfolio 🇬🇧🇶🇦 Did you know the Qatar royal family owns more of London than the Crown Estate? Here is a look at the iconic landmarks in their portfolio: 💎 The Shard (95% ownership)
These six billionaires, Jan Koum, Michael Dell, Bill Ackman, Marc Benioff, and Larry Ellison, and Michael Bloomberg, have made a profound impact on Jewish life and Israel through investment and influence, in another year of unprecedented challenges to the Jewish state.
Saudi Arabia generally has a larger overall economy (total GDP) and higher total wealth, but the UAE often has higher wealth per person (GDP per capita) due to its smaller population and successful diversification beyond oil into sectors like trade, tourism, and finance. So, Saudi Arabia is richer in total economic output, while the UAE offers greater individual prosperity on average.
