Women in UK Converting to Islam More Than Men

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27 October, 2010

A new survey sponsored by a British Muslim organization estimates that about 5,200 people in the United Kingdom converted to Islam last year, part of a steady increase since 2001.The report, titled "A Minority Within a Minority," was issued by the Faith Matters organization and conducted by Kevin Brice, an office administrator at Swansea University.

"I think what the survey shows is that people who converted to Islam are normal people," Kevin Brice told AOL News today. "They"re not a group of people trying to undermine the Western world. They feel that being a Muslim goes hand in hand with their British identity."

The number of Muslim converts in Britain has passed 100,000, fuelled by a surge in young white women adopting the Islamic faith. The survey of converts revealed nearly two thirds were women, more than 70 per cent were white and the average age at conversion was just 27.

British journalist Lauren Booth, sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, converted to Islam following a visit to Iran, saying she is a "proud member" of the Muslim community.

Kevin Brice, a white British national, said he converted to Islam in 1990. "The report shows there is a vibrant and growing Muslim convert community that feels at ease living in the U.K. and being Muslim," said Fiyaz Mughal, the founder and director of Faith Matters.

Lynne Ali, 31 year old former DJ from Dagenham in Essex expressed her feelings as “This is the real me – I am happy to pray five times a day and take classes at the mosque.”

Also 43 Year old, MTV’s former presenter Kristiane Backer became a Muslim and she explained; “Islamic values are different from Western culture. Living far from distress and making everything for the sake of Allah is important.”

Another British woman who converted to Islam is 32 year old newspaper reporter Camilla Leyland. Leyland expresses that Islam inspires her to feel various spiritual feelings.

Türkiye, 28 October 2010