When researching the history of Muslim converts in Britain there are topical issues ranging from:
· Historical overviews
· Record number of Britain’s converting to Islam
· Lists of high profile converts
· Works by academics on Muslim conversion
· Articles on links to terrorism for new converts too!
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The Mosque, fallen into disrepair.
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| The prayer hall |
‘Muslims of London: a great historical overview’ gives a brief account of the rise of Islam in Britain and shows famous converts that have impacted the lives of British Muslims today, by making significant achievements in history. I want to draw upon one of the listed- Abdullah Quilliam, formerly known as William Henry Quilliam. A 19thCentury convert from Christianity to Islam, he was noted for founding the first Mosque and Islamic centre in Liverpool, England. Why I have highlighted his achievement? Well it is important to note that this guy was a convert, not a birth born Muslim! His difficult endeavour, as stated on the BBC news, has allowed Mosques to be open in almost every city in England! His legacy lives today through a charity possessing the historic building, a society dedicated to him amongst other numerous small projects. A wonderful documentary, highlighting his work amongst others including Muhammed Pickthall, by the BBC was my starting reference and here it is - worth watching!
Different websites displaying lists of famous converts can be found on the internet, along with profiles of some. However what encapsulated my mind the most during my research was the articles related to increasing no of Muslim converts in Britain today. You’d think after 9/11, the controversy and negative media footage would cause the numbers to decrease… but no! Seems like the media coverage has had an adverse effect to some extent. Contrary to this however, an article in The Guardian suggests these figures are unreliable and often exaggerated or even false. Which does make you wonder… Nevertheless here is a list of websites discussing the rise in the number of converts in Britain. I have also added a report which I found to be very informative that draws upon stats, reasons for conversion and almost everything else someone like me and you would want to know-also by a convert, Kevin Brice. Very insightful indeed. Enjoy the reading list. ;)
· ‘A Minority Within A Minority’ report: http://faith-matters.org/images/stories/fm-reports/a-minority-within-a-minority-a-report-on-converts-to-islam-in-the-uk.pdf
I really liked the video of famous people who converted to Islam. There were some that I'd heard of but didn't know they were Muslim, and others that I hadn't heard of,so I found myself looking for more information on them. It was quite an eye opener, Silma Ihram was one in particular that impressed me. She's involved in politics and has done so much for children's education by opening her own primary and high school in Australia,this was through many struggles and little support from the Muslim community.
ReplyDeleteHi Farrah. I am glad you found that useful as I did so aswel. Ofcourse some I knew of but others I wasn't so sure myself. This video was a simple way of learning that.
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