THE number of British people converting to Islam has almost doubled since 2001, according to a new study commissioned by a former councillor in Haringey.
The report, entitled A Minority Within A Minority, was carried out by the inter-faith think tank Faith Matters, which is headed up by former Liberal Democrat Noel Park councillor Fiyaz Mughal.
It estimates that the number of people converting to Islam has risen from about 60,000 in 2001 to up to 100,000 today. Researchers spoke to 120 converts – many of whom are white women – to gain an insight into the experience of Muslim
converts around the UK – and many of their findings were groundbreaking, as Mr Mughal explained to the Advertiser.
“There are many discussions around the subject of people converting to Islam – some of it good but many of the discourses have been negative. There has never been a proper study into the subject so we decided it would be good to look at what
the facts actually are.
“The assumption is that converts are often young and vulnerable but this study shows that it is just not the case. We found the average age of converts is actually 27 or 28, which suggests people are taking their time and having rational discussions about the issue, looking at it later on in life for spiritual and theological reasons.
“Many of those converting in recent years have been women, which is interesting.
“Also striking was that more than 90 per cent of converts believe they can act in local areas as bridges between Muslims and non-Muslims. So, as a community, they have much to offer our country and to both Muslims and non-Muslims.”
While many assume women turn to Islam simply because they are marrying a Muslim man, Mr Mughal said this was not overwhelmingly the case.
Another chapter of the report is dedicated to the way Islam is represented in the UK media and concludes that British national newspapers help perpetuate negative stereotypes of Islam.
The majority of stories published about people who have converted to the religion
are linked to terrorism and extremism, the report claimed.
Mr Mughal’s next project, already under way, is a report on the support on offer for vulnerable converts in all faiths.
Source: https://www.northlondon-today.co.uk By: Lucy Purdy