Muslims in the United Kingdom
Islam is the second-largest religion in the United Kingdom, with a vibrant and growing community contributing significantly to British society.
UK Cities with Significant Muslim Populations
Highest Muslim Population Share
- Tower Hamlets, London — ~39.9% Muslim
- Blackburn with Darwen — ~35.0% Muslim
- Newham, London — ~34.8% Muslim
- Luton — ~32.9% Muslim
- Redbridge, London — ~31.3% Muslim
- Bradford — ~30.5% Muslim
- Birmingham — ~29.9% Muslim
- Slough — ~29% Muslim
- Leicester — ~23.5% Muslim
- Manchester — ~22% Muslim
Largest Total Muslim Populations
- London (Greater) — Over 1 million Muslims
- Birmingham — ~280,000+ Muslims
- Bradford — ~140,000+ Muslims
- Manchester (Greater) — ~125,000+ Muslims
- Tower Hamlets — ~120,000+ Muslims
- Newham — ~115,000+ Muslims
- Leicester — ~75,000+ Muslims
- Luton — ~70,000+ Muslims
- Blackburn — ~55,000+ Muslims
- Sheffield — ~50,000+ Muslims
Before The Nikah
"Marriage is not an escape. It is responsibility."
A Nikah alone is not automatically a legal marriage in England and Wales. Without civil registration, protections around finances, inheritance, and separation may be limited.
This 24-chapter PDF guide covers:
- UK legal basics — protect your rights under English law
- Red flags and warning signs you cannot ignore
- Compatibility questions about deen, children, lifestyle
- Mahr, the wali, and Islamic requirements
- Culture vs Islam — distinguishing the difference
- UK resources directory
Mosques in the United Kingdom
| Mosque | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Baitul Futuh Mosque | Morden, London | 10,000+ |
| Al-Jamia Suffa-Tul Islam Grand Mosque | Bradford | 8,000 |
| Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif | Birmingham | 6,000 |
| Birmingham Central Mosque | Birmingham | 6,000 |
| East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre | Whitechapel, London | 5,000+ |
| London Central Mosque | Regent's Park, London | 5,000 |
| Markazi Masjid (Dewsbury Markaz) | Dewsbury | 4,000 |
| Manchester Central Mosque | Manchester | 3,000+ |
Historic Mosques
Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking (1889) — The first purpose-built mosque in the UK, Grade I listed.
Liverpool Muslim Institute (1889) — Britain's first recorded functioning mosque, founded by Abdullah Quilliam.
Fazl Mosque, Southfields (1926) — The first purpose-built mosque in London.
Cities with Most Mosques
- London — 332 mosques
- Birmingham — 179 mosques
- Bradford — 103 mosques
- Leicester — 77 mosques
- Manchester — 77 mosques
Halal Food Industry in the UK
Industry Drivers
- Rising Muslim population driving demand
- Major supermarkets expanding halal ranges
- Ethical sourcing appealing to wider market
- E-commerce making halal products accessible
Certification Bodies
The UK has multiple organisations ensuring products meet Islamic dietary requirements:
- Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC)
- Halal Food Authority (HFA)
- Halal Trust
Islamic Education in the UK
Education Formats
Full-Time Muslim Schools: Approximately 184 schools across the UK offer an Islamic ethos alongside the national curriculum.
Madrassas/Supplementary Schools: Thousands of part-time evening schools where children learn Quran and Islamic studies.
Islamic Colleges: Institutions like Cambridge Muslim College provide higher Islamic education and imam training.
UK Muslim Charities & Organisations
British Muslims donate an estimated £1.79 billion annually — four times the national average per capita.
Islamic Relief UK
Founded in Birmingham in 1984, Islamic Relief is one of the largest Muslim charities globally.
Link: islamic-relief.org.uk
Muslim Aid
Established in 1985, Muslim Aid provides humanitarian assistance across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Link: muslimaid.org
Muslim Hands
Founded in 1993, Muslim Hands operates in over 50 countries providing emergency and long-term aid.
Link: muslimhands.org.uk
Islamic Calendar & Key Dates
Ramadan 2025
Expected Start: Friday, 28th February 2025
Expected End: Sunday, 30th March 2025
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by fasting from dawn to sunset.
Eid Celebrations 2025
Eid al-Fitr: Monday, 31st March 2025
Celebrates the end of Ramadan with prayer, feasting, and charity.
Eid al-Adha: Friday, 6th June 2025
The Festival of Sacrifice, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's devotion.
Before The Nikah: UK Muslim Marriage Guide (PDF)
"Marriage is not an escape. It is responsibility."
If you’re planning a Nikah in England and Wales, make sure you understand the legal side too. This essential PDF guide covers UK legal basics, red flags and compatibility — in plain English.
Instant Access • UK-focused • Updated for 2025
History of Islam in Britain
Notable British Muslims
Politics & Public Service
- Sadiq Khan — Mayor of London
- Baroness Sayeeda Warsi — First Muslim Cabinet Minister
- Rushanara Ali MP — First person of Bangladeshi origin in Parliament
Sport & Media
- Sir Mo Farah CBE — Olympic gold medallist
- Amir Khan — World champion boxer
- Mishal Husain — BBC Today programme presenter
- Riz Ahmed — Oscar-nominated actor