Islam in Wales

Wales became home to the oldest Muslim communities in the British Isles during the early nineteenth century, with Muslim seafarers establishing their homes in the country's ports during the Industrial Revolution in Wales. However, there is also more ancient evidence of Muslim converts and Islamic influence throughout the country.

History

Early and industrial history

Records of contact between Wales and the Muslim world dates back to the early 12th Century, and the early influence of Islam in Wales is evidenced by the discovery of a Quran found hidden into the walls of Valle Crucis Abbey near Llangollen. The earliest known Welsh Muslim is a seventeenth century runagado (renegade), who was captured following the seizure of an Algerian Corsair by the Dutch navy in 1671. The records state that the Dutch released all the English prisoners but executed one Welsh sailor as he was a Muslim. While nothing else is recorded of his life, it is likely that he was a Christian Welshman who was either captured or enslaved by North African pirates in the employ of the Ottoman Empire. While he may have been given few options but to convert to Islam, we know that he worked with his fellow Muslims aboard the ship, and would become not only the first Welsh Muslim in recorded history, but also the first Welshman to lose his life because of his Muslim faith.

The influence of Islam on material Welsh culture is apparent by the mid-nineteenth century, with artworks such as the stained glass windows at churches across Anglesey. The ancient Christian churches were renovated by Henry Stanley, 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley, who had converted to Islam in 1859. As such, the churches of Llanbadrig, St Peters in Newborough, St Peters in Llanbedrgoch, St Marys in Bodewryd, St Peirios near Rhosgoch all feature Islamic geometric patterns. In the late nineteenth century Welsh language translations of the Quran were carried out by Welsh radical authors such as Joseph Harry and John Tywi Jones. A Welsh Quran was first published at Aberdare, and was again published in its entirety in two national newspapers. Firstly in Y Gwladgarwr from April to June 1879, and again in the politically radical newspaper, Tarian y Gweighirt from February to March 1882.

Welsh converts to Islam include Khadija Amelia Buksh (born Amelia Davies) who converted before marrying her Indian Muslim husband in 1891. Khadija died suddenly just two years later but was buried in accordance with Islamic traditions and under her Muslim name, alongside her family in Bethlehem Chapel in Pwll-Trap, St Clears, Carmarthenshire, in what is often considered to be the first Islamic burial in Wales.

Wales has been home to a sizeable Muslim population since at least the mid-nineteenth century when Muslim workers, especially Somali and Yemeni seafarers settled in the new Welsh ports, such as Swansea, Mostyn and most notably the Butetown area of Cardiff. The first purpose built mosque in Wales, the Peel Street Mosque was completed in 1947 in Cardiff. The original structure was a traditional domed structure with minarets, but was redeveloped in 1988 as a brick building.

In the 21st century

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.

In 2006, the first scout group for Muslims was launched in Cardiff with over 100 members.

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.

In 2008, plans were announced to build an Islamic Centre in Carmarthen. A college for training Muslim clerics has been established in Llanybydder in Carmarthenshire.

In the 2010s , the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has announced plans to construct the first Ahmadi mosque in Wales.