Islam in Scotland

Islam in Scotland includes all aspects of the Islamic faith in Scotland. The first Muslim known to have been in Scotland was a medical student who studied at the University of Edinburgh from 1858 to 1859. The production of goods and Glasgow's busy port meant that many lascars were employed there. Most Muslims in Scotland are members of families that immigrated in the later decades of the 20th century. At the 2011 census, Muslims comprised 1.4 per cent of Scotland's population (76,737).

History

The first named Muslim known in Scotland was Wazir Beg from Bombay (now "Mumbai"). He is recorded as being a medical student who studied at the University of Edinburgh in 1858 and 1859.[1] Manufacturing and Glasgow's busy seaport meant that many Lascars were employed there. Dundee was at the peak of importing jute, and sailors from Bengal were also seen at its port. Records from the Glasgow Sailors' Home show that nearly a third (5,500) of the boarders in 1903 were Muslim Lascars.

However, the immigration of Muslims to Scotland is a relatively recent event. The majority of Scottish Muslims are members of families who immigrated in the late 20th century. Scotland's Muslims in 2001 represented just 0.9% of the population (42,557),[2] with 30,000 in Glasgow.[3] By 2011, the Muslim population had increased to 76,737, accounting for 1.4% of Scotland's population.[4] Muslims are the third largest non-Christian group after atheists and agnostics. Many Scottish Muslims are of South Asian descent, primarily originating in Pakistan.

Mosques

Edinburgh Central Mosque
Glasgow Central Mosque is the largest Sunni mosque in Glasgow
Dundee Central Mosque

Three important mosques in Scotland are Edinburgh Central Mosque, which took more than six years to complete at a cost of £3.5m[5] and has a main hall that can hold over one thousand worshippers,[6] Glasgow Central Mosque, Aberdeen Mosque and Dundee Central Mosque are also important mosques.

Notable Scottish Muslims

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/antisectarian/whatIsSectarianism/aboutsectarianism/Islam/02100506historyofmuslimsinscotland.asp
  2. ↑ http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00398-02.asp
  3. ↑ Young Muslims UK, accessed 4 August 2010
  4. ↑ "Scotland's Census 2011 – Table KS209SCb" (PDF). scotlandscensus.gov.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  5. ↑ Edinburgh mosque opens "BBC new report" Check |url= value (help). 1998-07-31. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  6. ↑ "Muslim Directory". Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  7. ↑ "Summit on religious harmony is thrown into discord by Malaysia". The Times. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
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