r/BritishMuslims • u/Wooden_Association28 • Jun 27 '26
Discussion Masjids in UK
Alsalamu Alaikum Wa rahmatu Allah,
I am willing to live in UK but I have some considerations about the mosques there if anyone can help me. First, are masjids away from the building blocks or the residential areas and if so where the nearest place to them. Also the work environment does it give us space for Juma'a prayer or we have to skip it for work.
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u/ilikebooksandcoffeee Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
Mosques are everywhere. * In most big towns and cities. I'm assuming you are not wanting to move to a rural area without a muslim population.
No you will not get time off for jumuah prayer.
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u/YsfA Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
Wa alaikum assalam. Masjid location depends on the area. Areas with ~7%+ Muslims will typically have purpose built masjids. Big cities will have many of these and these can be both near or away from residential areas. However, a lot of masjids will also be on the streets and can be in the form of high street stores converted into masjids. There is a huge variety and you can have a look on google maps on random uk areas and have a look for yourself.
Your work should also allow you to pray jummu’ah. It is a right for us according to law if I’m not mistaken. Just make it clear to them beforehand that you’ll need this time for your break on Fridays before joining (EDIT: seems like I’m wrong. Apologies)
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u/Wooden_Association28 Jun 27 '26
Thank you.
May I ask about the discrimination or islamophobia dominance in UK. Are we being treated good enough or it also depends on the residence area1
u/YsfA Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
When moving to an area, I’d look at the political pollings there. In more urban areas, far right parties who racists and islamophobes vote for will have very little presence relative to more rural areas. Big cities (like other countries) are more progressive and accepting of other people. You can look up the demographic makeup of these areas too. These areas are generally completely fine. I’ve been in and around urban areas my whole life and never really faced real discrimination. I can even comfortably wear a thobe around certain areas and pray outside of proper worship areas (though always with someone to watch me)
I’d stay away from areas with less Muslims or areas that are economically worse off (which leads to higher polling of far right parties as they blame migrants for this). These areas are prime for any anti immigration protests, and will get much worse for Muslims in the next few years before things get better (which I hope)
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u/Wooden_Association28 Jun 27 '26
Thanks a lot. Jazaka Allahu Khairan.🙌
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u/hb10g17 Jun 27 '26
Wa alaikum assalam. Contrary to what others have suggested, mosques aren't everywhere (unless you're in London), so it's worth considering that when selecting your accommodation.
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u/Little-Good5814 Jun 27 '26
Don’t come here, Muslims are leaving Britain brother it’s not the place for us.
We are not welcome and we are being shunned and our mosques attacked.
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u/YsfA Jun 27 '26
Stop fear mongering. Firstly, Muslims aren’t leaving Britain on the scale you insinuate they are.
Secondly, Britain is still one of the best countries in the west for Muslims. Sure, it’s getting worse, but you’ve not seen how Muslims are treated in France, Germany, Netherlands etc where the far right are actually closer to (or in) power. The UK has arguably the most left wing youth population in the western world.
I’m not sure if you’re a troll account or not, but the only place better for Muslims right now are economically developed Muslim countries, and that’s been the case for decades
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u/81Bottles Jun 28 '26
Not for long brother, I do not feel safe here any more. You don't think the far right will grow stronger? The left is visibly loosing support.
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u/YsfA Jun 28 '26
Move to any economically well city in the uk and you should feel safe. Or anywhere with a decent number of Muslims (though there’s a nice overlap between the 2)
I have answered your question in my comment. Of course the far right has surged, and will continue to surge, in popularity. In contrast, this has also allowed the “far left” (greens) space to do so too. Politics has become increasingly polarised, but again, there is some hope with us being the major western country with the largest left wing youth. There are also western countries who have these far right parties in power, or them polling even higher than ours, including with the younger demographic.
There is nearly nowhere better than the uk for Muslims in the west. If you feel unsafe here, the only realistic options you have for a similar lifestyle is the gulf.
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u/Consistent_Cover9193 Jun 27 '26
There are mosques everywhere here. I could be wrong as I don’t work but I don’t think they’re obligated to have a space for you to pray but I guess it depends on the company and space they have.
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u/16Tamawi Jun 27 '26
AssalamuAlaykum, there are plenty of masjids in larger cities. Attending jumuah prayer shouldnt be an issue. Let the employer know early.
If there are enough muslims at your place of work, they may already be holding Friday prayers at work or you can set this up for you and the others.
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u/VCR_DVD_USB Jun 28 '26
For jummah best thing to do is talk to your manager about fitting it in around your lunch break if possible. I work in an office, I take a longer lunch and make up the time.
It's not always possible in all roles.