Author: Obaidullah Noorzahi
Islam in Europe (Part 16)
England
The country of England is located in the westernmost part of Europe and consists of several large and small islands, all situated in the Atlantic Ocean. This country was formed by the union of the four regions of Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each of which has some degree of autonomy in its internal affairs. The population of England is about 57 million people, 93% of whom live in cities. More than 80% of the country’s population is of English descent, and the rest are Scots, Irish, Welsh, and Ulster. The majority of the people in England are Christians, primarily followers of the Anglican faith (a branch of Protestantism). The largest religious minority in the country is made up of Catholics, followed by Muslims and Jews.
During its period of influence in Islamic countries, England committed many atrocities against Muslims in its quest to colonize and exploit them. The country perceived Muslims as bitter enemies and an obstacle to its expansion into other lands. Lord Allan Burrow, the absolute ruler of India in 1843, stated in one of his speeches: “It is a plain fact that the Muslim nation is, by the nature of its religion, our bitter enemies; therefore, our real program must be to win the Hindus’ favor.” Jawaharlal Nehru also remarked: “After 1875, England exerted more pressure on the Muslims than on the Hindus, because the English considered the Muslims to be more militant and bold than the Hindus.” William Hunter, the English chronicler, reported in 1871, 14 years after the 1857 Muslim revolt against England: “Our Muslim subjects in India feel themselves bound to revolt against the Queen.”
This fighting spirit and resistance of Muslims against the British invaders was also evident in Afghanistan, which the British always remembered as a bitter and instructive lesson. Following its influence in Iraq, in addition to plundering the country’s natural resources and exploiting its strategic location, England also promoted corruption and moral decadence. To achieve these sinister goals, many Muslims were suppressed and massacred.
Islam entered this country in the early 20th century, coinciding with the arrival of Muslim workers into British society. The industrial growth of England in the 1950s and 1960s led to waves of immigrants from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and East Africa. Most Muslim immigrants worked in spinning and weaving factories, while others pursued careers in various fields as doctors, engineers, specialists, and students. The current Muslim population of England is approximately 2,520,000.
Muslims in England have a deep-rooted culture and strong resolve. Their resistance to the moral corruption and decadence that pervades British society has demonstrated high values, to the extent that even their opponents acknowledge this. For example, the Daily Mail, which has a right-wing perspective and does not typically maintain good relations with Muslims, was compelled to conduct a more realistic assessment of the community.
Muslims living in England express concern that their children will become immersed in the corruption and moral decline of Western society. In an environment where moral deviation is a risk, Islamic education for children has gained significant importance. Young girls and boys observe Ramadan by fasting with particular enthusiasm and excitement. In Bradford, there is a notable interest in the Quran among young people. While English churches are facing a sharp decline in followers, the number of Muslim mosques is on the rise.
Currently, there are 387 mosques in England built by Muslims. The love for mosques has led to some shops being converted into places of worship. The oldest mosque in Britain is the Shah Jahan Mosque near London. Mosques and prayer rooms serve not only as places for worship but also as centers for Islamic education and the learning of the Arabic language. Some mosques are involved in extensive publishing and advocacy activities, distributing pamphlets on Islamic teachings.
These cultural and moral initiatives have been so impactful that Graham Turner, a researcher who has studied the Muslim community, concluded in his report: “I wish white people were Muslims too.” Disillusioned women from churches, primarily of English, Scottish, and Welsh descent, are attracted to Islam and marry Muslim men. Additionally, some British researchers and scholars have embraced this religion, inspired by the teachings of Islam.
The British government has permitted Muslims to instruct Islam alongside formal education. Following the insistence of Muslim parents, the Education Department in the Deanshire area allowed Muslim girls to wear the traditional hijab.
In 1988, the House of Lords passed a law requiring all state school pupils, including around half a million Muslim pupils, to attend morning religious services and Christian education classes. However, after significant Muslim resistance and protest, the government was forced to back down, and the Education Secretary announced that “Muslim children can opt out of these services.”
The Muslim community in England has well-organized institutions, the most important of which is the Union of Muslim Organizations in England (U.M.O.). This union comprises 102 Islamic organizations and societies. The Islamic Institute of London was also established in the 1970s by Dr. Kaleem Siddiqui and a group of Muslim scholars in central England. This institute publishes analytical pamphlets aimed at addressing Islamic issues and the social affairs of the Muslim minority and plays a vital role in uniting the Muslim community.
Muslims in England face many challenges and various forms of pressure. Despite having more than 250 religious organizations, Islam is not officially recognized in this country, and even Islamic marriages are not sanctioned by the government. This situation has led to economic, cultural, and social difficulties for Muslims. Nonetheless, a notable phenomenon is the significant increase in the Muslim population; from only 50,000 during the Second World War to more than fifty times that number today.
The first Muslim community in England was established by Yemenis originating from Aden, who settled primarily in the cities of Cardiff and Coventry. Most Muslims in England follow the Hanafi school of thought, and about 40% of them reside in London. Muslims hope that the British government will support Islamic schools as it does Jewish and Catholic schools, but British politicians often approach this issue with reluctance.
Widespread Christian propaganda, particularly among young Muslims, presents a serious challenge to the British Muslim community. Organizations such as the Gardner Fellowship of Ministers and the Cross Bearers Society promote Christianity among Muslims through their workers and student outreach. The Friendship Society, founded in Leicester in 1928, also conducts extensive activities aimed at influencing Muslim youth.
One of the most significant cultural assaults on Muslims was the publication of the blasphemous book The Satanic Verses. Written by Salman Rushdie, a British citizen of Indian descent, it was published in 1988 by Penguin Publishing House. This offensive work, which received support from the British monarchy and the Booker Prize, provoked outrage among Muslims worldwide. Widespread protests by Muslims in various countries, including England, were marked by marches and the burning of copies of the book.
Continues…
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