A Short History of Islam in Leicester, United Kingdom

The first Muslim immigrants in the Leicester area arrived in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The majority of these early immigrants were from the Indian subcontinent, mostly from Pakistan. By the 1990s, Leicester had become home to a significant Muslim population and, as of 2018, is estimated to be the most religiously diverse city in the UK.

The first mosque in Leicester was built in 1977 and is located in the city’s St Matthews area. This mosque, known as the Masjid-e-Umer, is now the largest mosque in the city and serves as a place of worship for a large number of Muslims in Leicester. Other mosques and Islamic centres have also been built in the city over the years, and these institutions now form an important part of the religious life of Leicester’s Muslim community.

The Muslim community in Leicester has continued to grow in recent years, with increasing numbers of Muslims arriving in the city from countries across the Middle East and North Africa. This has led to the emergence of a vibrant and diverse Muslim population, with a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds.

What is the approximate population of Muslims in Leicester, United Kingdom?

The exact population of Muslims in Leicester is not known, but it is estimated that around 27% of the city’s population is Muslim, making it the most religiously diverse city in the UK. This figure is likely to be higher, as many Muslims in Leicester may not be counted in the official census figures.

When have the first Muslims moved to Leicester, United Kingdom?

The first Muslims immigrants in the Leicester area arrived in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The majority of these early immigrants were from the Indian subcontinent, mostly from Pakistan. In the decades since then, Leicester has become home to a large and diverse Muslim population, with people from a wide range of countries and religious backgrounds.

What are the current demographics of Muslims in Leicester, United Kingdom?

There is a wide range of backgrounds among the Muslims in Leicester. Many are from the Indian subcontinent, particularly from Pakistan, but there are also significant numbers from other countries such as Bangladesh, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. In addition, Leicester also has a growing number of Muslim converts from other religious backgrounds.

Which is more prominent in Leicester, United Kingdom – Shia or Sunni Islam?

Sunni Islam is the most prominent form of the faith in Leicester, accounting for around two-thirds of the city’s Muslim population. However, there is also a significant Shia Muslim population, particularly among the city’s Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities.

What are the main mosques in Leicester, United Kingdom?

The largest mosque in Leicester is the Masjid-e-Umer, which is located in the city’s St Matthews area. This is the oldest mosque in the city, having been built in 1977. Other mosques in Leicester include the Central Jamia Mosque, the Jamia Mosque, and the Al-Habib Islamic Centre.

Conclusion

Leicester is home to a large and vibrant Muslim community, with a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. The city is home to a number of mosques and Islamic centres, which serve as important places of worship for the city’s Muslims. Sunni Islam is the most prominent form of the faith in Leicester, but there is also a significant Shia Muslim population.