Islam

Followers of Islam (Muslims), first arrived in the UK from the Indian sub-continent some 300 years ago. By 2011 there were 2.5 million British Muslims. While a strict adherence to the practice and beliefs of the religion of Islam appear difficult to integrate into British culture, the younger UK-born generations have inevitably had the most success with this.

Islam shares parts of the Bible and some important figures with Christianity ~ Adam, Abraham, Moses, Noah, the Angel Gabriel and Jesus. It also believes in one God (‘Allah’) and has a holy site in Jerusalem. However, the differences in traditional beliefs are evident, particularly on rights for women and children, and on food animal welfare.

Muhammad (570-632) is revered as the last prophet and is said to have been visited by Angel Gabriel. The Quran/Koran is the main holy text and the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’ are the actions which devotees must carry out. These include praying five times a day, preferably in the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, where Islam began. At least one pilgrimage must also be made to Mecca and one month of fasting in daylight hours carried out during ‘Ramadam’.

(Image of Islamic mosque in Rochdale: Michael Ely at geograph.org.uk / CC BY-SA 2.0)