How the British Empire shaped a modern Muslim identity in the United Kingdom

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From 8th-century Anglo-Saxon coins to the massive migrations following the 1947 partition of India, Islam has a deep history in Britain. Today, it is the nation's second-largest religion, driven by a young, diverse population and a legacy of colonial-era connections.

Islam is currently the second-largest religion in the United Kingdom, accounting for approximately 6.0% of the population—just under four million people. London holds the highest concentration, with Muslims making up 15% of its residents. While the majority of British Muslims follow Sunni Islam, significant Shia communities also exist. This demographic is notably young and is growing at a rate several times faster than the general UK population.

The roots of this presence are complex. Early evidence includes an 8th-century coin minted by the Anglo-Saxon King Offa featuring Arabic inscriptions. Later, during the expansion of the British Empire, the UK came to rule vast territories with massive Muslim populations. This era saw the arrival of 'lascars'—seamen from the Indian subcontinent—who settled in British port towns starting in the mid-18th century. By the late 19th century, thousands of these sailors were arriving annually.

Historians note that British colonial rule helped forge a cohesive Muslim identity in South Asia. Previously, many Muslims were more focused on regional identities like Bengali or Punjabi, or even Persian and Turkish courtly affiliations. British historians categorized South Asian history into 'ancient Hindu' and 'medieval Muslim' periods, a classification that remains a subject of intense academic debate. Some scholars argue these labels are 'tyrannous constructs' or 'alien conceptual hegemonies.'

Post-World War II, large-scale migration from former colonies like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—driven by labor shortages and the 1947 partition—further transformed the UK's religious landscape. Today, the community is ethnically diverse, including significant Turkish, Arab, and Somali populations, alongside an estimated 100,000 British converts.

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