A Short History of Islam in West Lothian, United Kingdom

Islam has been present in the United Kingdom since the mid-7th century, and West Lothian is no exception. The earliest Muslims to settle in the region were traders and sailors from North Africa and the Middle East, arriving in the 8th century. These early settlers established their own mosques and places of worship in the area, giving rise to a small but vibrant community. Over the centuries, West Lothian has seen a steady influx of Muslim immigrants from various parts of the world, including South Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East.

The West Lothian Muslim community was further strengthened by the presence of a significant number of students from the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, who arrived in the early 2000s to study at the University of Edinburgh. This has led to an increased population of Muslims in the region, and today, there are estimated to be over 10,000 Muslims living in West Lothian.

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

According to the 2011 census, there are approximately 10,000 Muslims living in West Lothian, which is around 3.3% of the total population of the region. This number has likely increased in the past decade, and it is estimated that there are now around 13,000 Muslims living in West Lothian.

When have the first Muslims moved to West Lothian, United Kingdom?

The first Muslims to settle in West Lothian arrived in the 8th century, as traders and sailors from North Africa and the Middle East. Over the centuries, more Muslims have come to West Lothian from various parts of the world, including South Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East. The presence of a significant number of students from the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the early 2000s has also led to an increased population of Muslims in the region.

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

According to the 2011 census, the majority of Muslims living in West Lothian are of Pakistani descent, constituting around 65% of the total Muslim population. This is followed by Indian Muslims (15%), Bangladeshi Muslims (10%) and other ethnic backgrounds, including Arab, African, and Central Asian Muslims. The vast majority of Muslims in the region are Sunni, with a small but growing minority of Shia Muslims.

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

The vast majority of Muslims in West Lothian are Sunni, with an estimated 95% of the Muslim population belonging to this sect. The remaining 5% belongs to the Shia sect, which has been steadily increasing in the past few years due to the influx of Shia immigrants from the Middle East.

What are the main mosques in West Lothian, United Kingdom?

There are a number of mosques in West Lothian, catering to the local Muslim population. The largest and most prominent is the Livingston Mosque in Livingston, which is the largest mosque in the region and serves as the main place of worship for the local Muslim community. Other notable mosques in West Lothian include the Broxburn Mosque, the West Lothian Muslim Centre in Livingston, and the Livingston Islamic Centre.

In addition, there are a number of smaller mosques in the region, including the Al-Falah Mosque in Livingston, the Al-Hidayah Mosque in Bathgate, and the Al-Huda Mosque in Broxburn. These mosques are often used for Friday prayers and other religious events.