Islam in Wales
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Islam is the largest non-Christian faith in Wales, with about 46,000 adherents recorded in the country in the 2011 Census.[1] The earliest recorded connections between Wales and the Muslim world dates back to the early 12th Century.[2] There has been a Somali and Yemeni Islamic community in Cardiff since the mid-1800s, founded by seafarers to Cardiff Docks.[3][4] The first purpose-built mosque was erected in Cardiff in 1947.[5]
Today, Wales has about 40 mosques, most of which are in Cardiff, with others in Aberystwyth,[6] Bangor, Barry, Haverfordwest, Lampeter, Llanelli, Neath, Newport, Port Talbot, Swansea and Wrexham.
History
- New Muslim Network Wales was established in the later part of 2001 to provide support and advice to converts to Islam and their non-Muslim family. The group also provides advice to mosques and other Islamic organisations on dawah work and community relations.
- In 2003, the Muslim Council of Wales was established with affiliates across Wales to represent the Muslim community in the public sphere.
- The first university in the UK to be awarded by FOSIS (Federation of Students Islamic Societies, UK & Éire) for the best mosque facility on campus was a Welsh University – Swansea, which received the accolade in 2007.[2]
- In 2006, the first scout group for Muslims was launched in Cardiff with over 100 members.[7]
- In 2008, plans were announced to build an Islamic Centre in Carmarthen.[8] A college for training Muslim clerics has been established in Llanybydder in Carmarthenshire.[5]
- In 2010s, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has announced plans to construct the first Ahmadi mosque in Wales.
See also
References
- ^ "2011 Census: KS209EW Religion, local authorities in England and Wales". ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- ^ a b Muslims in Wales: A brief history
- ^ "Somali Seafarers in Wales". The Black Presence in Britain - Black British History Website. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Immigration and Emigration, South East Wales, Somali Community". BBC. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ a b wales religion and belief bbc.co.uk accessed 13 December 2008
- ^ Aberystwyth Mosque salaam.co.uk, accessed 19 January 2009
- ^ First Muslim scout group in Wales BBC News, 27 March 2006
- ^ Islamic centre planned for town BBC News, 25 November 2008