The British Muslim Civil Society Report 2023

Recently released census data shows us that Muslims make up 6.5% of the population of England and Wales at 3.9 million strong. This is an increase of 1.2million since the last census. In major cities, the proportion of Muslims is especially high, with 30% of Birmingham, 22% of Manchester, and 15% of London’s populations being Muslim. Alongside the growth of the British Muslim community, British Muslim civil society has expanded into an impressive array of organizations and institutions that have emerged as significant contributors to modern British society. They include mosques and Islamic centres, educational institutions, youth associations, student organizations, national umbrella bodies, advocacy groups, and media organizations. Muslims bring a distinctive ethos into civil society which is often inspired by their faith. As the focus groups that have informed this report indicate, most Muslims are driven to contribute to civil society out of a sense of civic duty that arises from their Islamic commitments. Muslims feel that Islam calls on them to serve their communities and their neighbours of all faiths and none.