History of Islam in the United Kingdom

You might think that Islam is a relatively new religion in Great Britain, but its influence stretches back to the 8th century. Explore this timeline and discover how Islam has been part of the fabric of British society for hundreds of years.

  • 8th Century

    Coin minted with Islamic inscription

  • 8th Century

    Coin minted with Islamic inscription

    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.

  • 9th Century

    Britain referenced in early Islamic geographical literature

  • 9th Century

    Britain referenced in early Islamic geographical literature

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

  • 13th - 14th Century

    Early Islamic philosophy

  • 13th - 14th Century

    Early Islamic philosophy

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

  • 1386

    English author Geoffrey Chaucer introduces Muslim characters

  • 1386

    English author Geoffrey Chaucer introduces Muslim characters

    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 18th Century.

  • 1600

    Moroccan Ambassador stays in London

  • 1600

    Moroccan Ambassador stays in London

    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.

  • 1583

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

  • 1583

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

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

  • 1649

    First English version of the Qur’an by Alexander Ross

  • 1649

    First English version of the Qur’an by Alexander Ross

    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

  • 1652

    First coffee house opens in London

  • 1652

    First coffee house opens in London

    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.

  • 18th Century

    First large group of Muslims arrive from India

  • 18th Century

    First large group of Muslims arrive from India

    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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  • 1734

    George Sale produces first translation of the Qur’an

  • 1734

    George Sale produces first translation of the Qur’an

    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).

  • 1869

    Opening of Suez canal prompts further wave of Muslim immigration

  • 1869

    Opening of Suez canal prompts further wave of Muslim immigration

    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.

  • 1887

    Liverpool solicitor William Henry Quilliam converts to Islam in Morocco

  • 1887

    Liverpool solicitor William Henry Quilliam converts to Islam in Morocco

    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.

  • 1889

    First purpose built mosque opens in Woking

  • 1889

    First purpose built mosque opens in Woking

    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.

  • 1914

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

  • 1914

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

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

  • 1914-18 First World War

    British Army enlists over 500,000 Indian soldiers

  • 1914-18 First World War

    British Army enlists over 500,000 Indian soldiers

    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.”

  • 1930

    Marmaduke Pickthall, celebrated novelist and Muslim convert

  • 1930

    Marmaduke Pickthall, celebrated novelist and Muslim convert

    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.

  • 1935

    Qur’an is read for first time on BBC Radio

  • 1935

    Qur’an is read for first time on BBC Radio

    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.

  • 1950-60

    Muslim immigrants, mostly men, arrive from India and Pakistan after partition

  • 1950-60

    Muslim immigrants, mostly men, arrive from India and Pakistan after partition

    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.

  • 1960-70

    Next wave of Muslim immigrants arrives from Africa

  • 1960-70

    Next wave of Muslim immigrants arrives from Africa

    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.

  • 1976

    Queen Elizabeth II opens Festival of Islam and the Race Relations Act is passed

  • 1976

    Queen Elizabeth II opens Festival of Islam and the Race Relations Act is passed

    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.

  • 1997

    Mohammed Sarwar becomes first Muslim MP holding Govan for Labour

  • 1997

    Mohammed Sarwar becomes first Muslim MP holding Govan for Labour

    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.

  • 2010

    First female Muslim MPs elected in general election

  • 2010

    First female Muslim MPs elected in general election

    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.

  • 2016

    Sadiq Khan - Mayor of London

  • 2016

    Sadiq Khan - Mayor of London

    Sadiq Khan becomes the first Muslim Mayor of London.