Islam in Northern Ireland

Islam in Northern Ireland details Islam in Northern Ireland since its creation as a separate country within the United Kingdom[1] on 3 May 1921, under the Government of Ireland Act 1920.[2]

Historical Population of Muslims
YearPop.±% p.a.
2001 1,943—    
2011 3,832+7.03%
Census data on the number of Muslims in Northern Ireland began in 2001.
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While there were a small number of Muslims already living in what became Northern Ireland in 1921, the bulk of Muslims in Northern Ireland today come from families who immigrated during the late 20th century. At the time of the 2001 Census there were 1,943 living in Northern Ireland,[3] though the Belfast Islamic Centre claims that as of January 2009, this number had increased to over 15,000.[4] The Muslims in Northern Ireland come from over 40 countries of origin, from Western Europe all the way through to the Far East.[5]

The Belfast Islamic Centre was established in 1978 by a group of Muslims from the local community. The centre is located near Queens University in south Belfast. Today, the centre acts not only as a place of worship, but as a community centre, social-cultural centre, resource centre, advice centre and a day centre.[6]

According to The Economist, "Many of the 4,000 or so Muslims...are doctors, academics, entrepreneurs and property developers. Only in the past few years have they been joined by a poorer group of asylum-seekers from Somalia. They tend to inhabit leafy, cosmopolitan districts in south Belfast, near Queen’s University where many have taught or studied."[7]

Muslims in Northern Ireland
Year Percent Increase
2001 0.11% -
2011 0.21% +0.10%

Islamic Centres and Mosques in Northern Ireland

As of December 2019, there are a total of ten Islamic centres or prayer places in Northern Ireland.[8] Almost half of these are located in or near Belfast. These Islamic centres are: Belfast Islamic Centre (BIC), Belfast; Northern Ireland Muslim Family Association (NIMFA), Belfast; Dunmurry Masjid, Belfast; Newtownards Mosque, Newtownards; Muslim Association of Coleraine, Coleraine; North West Islamic Association, Derry; Muslim Association of Craigavon, Craigavon; Aman Association, Fermanagh; Muslim Association of Newry, Newry; and Dungannon Muslim community centre, Dungannon.

These centres organise social and religious events for the Muslim communities in their respective areas.

See also

References
  1. countries within a country Archived 2010-04-16 at the Wayback Machine number10.gov.uk, accessed 1 Nov 2009
  2. Statutory Rules & Orders published by authority, 1921 (No. 533); Additional source for 3 May 1921 date: Alvin Jackson, Home Rule - An Irish History, Oxford University Press, 2004, p198.
  3. Northern Ireland Census 2001 Key Statistics Archived 2009-11-22 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2009-12-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Belfast Islamic Centre Archived 2009-10-08 at the Wayback Machine
  6. about us Archived 2009-10-08 at the Wayback Machine belfastislamiccentre.org.uk, accessed 13 December 2008
  7. On the other foot: They do things differently in Northern Ireland—including Muslim-bashing, economist.com.
  8. [https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/Islamic_centres_in_Northern_Ireland/NI-Muslims
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