UK: Exhibition will show the history of Islam in Britain

“Many thousands of Muslims were also recruited to the British Indian Army and fought in colonial wars all over the world and made a huge contribution in both world wars.”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Get Reading | UK
By Linda Fort | October 25, 2011

A free exhibition exploring the influence of Islam in Britain down the ages opened in Reading last week.

Islam in Britain is at the Global Cafe at Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) in London Street, Katesgrove, and runs until November 30.

The exhibition looks right back to 754 when King Offa of Mercia received ambassadors from the Caliph of Baghdad.

It examines the trade in luxury goods from the Arab world brought by traders to spice up the lives of Anglo-Saxons.

From fashion to science, language to architecture, the exhibition reveals how the history of Islam and Britain are woven together.


The display has been developed by RISC with support from the European Commission’s Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme.

RISC worker Dave Richards, who did the research for the exhibition, said: “The project has been a fascinating journey into the past. It’s important to realise that until Tudor times, the Muslim empires that stretched across North Africa to India and beyond were world superpowers.

“They supported great universities making incredible advances in science and technology as well as producing luxury goods that Britain and the rest of Europe craved.

“The East India Company started operating in 1602 to get a piece of this profitable business. Many countries they traded with were Muslim and so were the seamen they recruited.

“When the ships returned to London with their cargoes, some stayed and formed the first Muslim communities.

“Many thousands of Muslims were also recruited to the British Indian Army and fought in colonial wars all over the world and made a huge contribution in both world wars.”

The opening hours are the same as those of the cafe: Tuesday to Thursday 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 1am, Sunday noon to 10.30pm.

The show is part of the Reading International Festival which runs until the end of this month.

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