The UK is generally considered a good place to live for Muslims, with over 76% of surveyed British Muslims regarding it as a good place to practice their faith. It offers high levels of religious freedom, significant political representation, and widespread access to halal food and amenities. However, many Muslims face anxiety over Islamophobia and structural inequalities.
Yes, Edinburgh is a safe and welcoming city for Muslims, with a growing multicultural population and inclusive community values. The city is home to multiple mosques, Islamic centres, and halal restaurants.
At the heart of British Muslim life is a strong emphasis on community service and charitable giving. Guided by the principles of Zakat (obligatory charity) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity), British Muslims collectively contribute over £2.4 billion a year in charitable donations and volunteer time.
Yes, Islam is growing in the UK, being the fastest-growing religion according to the 2021 census, with the Muslim population reaching 3.9 million (6.5% of the total), up from 2.7 million in 2011, driven by both higher birth rates in the younger Muslim demographic and migration, though some growth also reflects increased willingness to self-identify as Muslim.
Muslims in Britain are proud to be part of British society and are encouraged by their faith to be active, positive citizens. For a Muslim, their faith guides their personal morals, like being honest and charitable, while also respecting the law of the land.
Inside a UK Sharia Council in East London: Influence of Islam on civil matter in Britain
Is the UK friendly to Muslims?
Muslims' views on religion in Britain
The vast majority (94%) of Muslims feel able to practice their religion freely in Britain, and most believe that Islam is compatible with the British way of life.
In 2030, Muslims will experience the rare event of observing Ramadan twice within the Gregorian calendar year (once in January, once in December), due to the Islamic lunar calendar's shorter cycle, alongside continued population growth and increasing global presence, with significant demographic shifts in places like the U.S. and Europe, while national visions like Saudi Vision 2030 aim to transform societies.
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.”
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.
What are the biggest challenges for Muslims in the UK?
Many British had negative comments to say about the Muslims that had arrived in their country. This issue caused segregation between the two communities. Many of the Muslims were suffering because they couldn't find employment to support their families. In addition to discrimination and racism.
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.
Sharia banking covers types of personal finance that adhere to Islamic religious laws. Some of these core principles include: Not charging interest (Riba) to borrow money or paying interest to savers.
Muslim-friendly destinations in Europe now offer robust infrastructure, including halal food, prayer facilities, and thriving Muslim communities. Cities like London, Sarajevo, and Granada combine Islamic heritage, halal dining options, and strategic residency programmes.
The statistics paint a stark picture: approximately 50% of British Muslims live in poverty, compared to 18% of the general population, according to the Muslim Council of Britain's analysis.
There is no separate sharia legal system in the UK. What exist are sharia councils and the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal. The sharia councils have no statutory authority under English law. They may be used to resolve personal disputes such as marriage, divorce and inheritance.
As we have seen, Jews make up just under 0.5% of the national population, about the same proportion as in the last two censuses. Therefore, in 2021, just 5 out of 1,000 people in England and Wales were Jewish compared with 462 Christians, 65 Muslims and 17 Hindus.
Most British Arabs live in the Greater London area, and many are either businesspeople, recent immigrants, or students. There are also sizable and long-established Yemeni Arab communities living in both Cardiff and the South Shields area near Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The Quran and many hadiths mention multiple signs preceding the end, but no definitive chronological order. Major signs: These include the Dajjal's (antichrist) emergence, Gog and Magog's invasion, the sun rising from the west, the return of Jesus, and the smoke covering the earth.
