Child marriage allegation

BBC News, Imam charged after children married in mosque, 2 Sep 2025

"Northamptonshire Police said Ashraf Osmani had been charged under forced marriage legislation after he allegedly conducted a Nikah wedding ceremony involving two 16-year-olds at Northampton Central Mosque in November 2023."

Imam Pay

Hyphen, Low pay and high demands: the UK is facing a shortage of full-time imams

Interesting article, long-standing issue (going back to my 90s research). "Despite their central role in guiding Muslim communities on religious, spiritual and familial issues — and in some cases, working on financial management of the mosques they are attached to — imams are often paid very little. Many don’t receive the UK’s minimum wage and are expected to supplement their pay with benefits. Some don’t have contracts and most are on call 24 hours a day to serve the community’s needs."

Asia Bibi case

BBC News, Asia Bibi: British imams join calls for UK to give asylum, 13 Nov 2018

"Prominent British Muslims, including three imams - Qari Asim, Mamadou Bocoum and Dr Usama Hasan - have written a letter to Home Secretary Sajid Javid asking him "to make a clear and proactive statement that Britain would welcome a request for sanctuary here"."

Muslim leaders summit

Middle East Eye, Google-hosted Muslim leaders summit linked to Home Office Prevent unit

Haqiqah Launched

imamsonline.com, Haqiqah – What is the Truth Behind ISIS? links to a new online magazine. Also see BBC News, Imams try to 'reclaim the internet' with Haqiqah magazine 

'Over 100 UK imams unite to sign open letter urging British Muslims not to travel to Syria and Iraq'

Imams Online, Over 100 UK imams unite to sign open letter urging British Muslims not to travel to Syria and Iraq This is the link to the letter.



Channel 4, Imams' plea to British Muslims: don't go to Syria or Iraq, 4 Jul 2014 "An open letter signed by more than 100 imams from across major theological backgrounds and cultural groups urged British Muslim communities "to continue the generous and tireless effort to support all of those affected by the crisis in Syria and unfolding events in Iraq", but to do so "from the UK in a safe and responsible way"." Also see

Lost in Translation (Diaries of an Imam)

Abdullah Hasan, onislam.net, Lost in Translation (Diaries of an Imam) Week 2 "Imams are supposed to be individuals whom the entire community follows, not just one section of the community. It is worrying that this is still a problem in the UK and in the 21st century. I do not think this is much of a problem among the younger generation. Yes, they do have other issues and concerns to tackle. I am not denying there will not be problems among the younger generation, there will be, but I am confident that they will be very easily resolved." opinion piece

The training and development of Muslim Faith Leaders

Communities & Local Government, The training and development of Muslim Faith Leaders: Current practice and future possibilities "This independent report was commissioned under the last Government in response to requests from Muslim communities." Report is available as a pdf from this page.

UK and South Asian Islam

Economist, A single space, 30 Apr 09 "Not just for security types and sociologists, but also for theologians, Britain and its ex-dominions in South Asia are virtually a single entity. Schools of Islam that emerged in India as a reaction to the British raj are now vying for influence in the north of England. The passions generated by the Bangladeshi variety of Islamism are as lively in London as they are in Dhaka. Anybody who hopes for stability and social peace in the Muslim parts of South Asia has to keep an eye on the Islamic scene in Britain. The reverse also applies. The flow of South Asian imams to Britain has recently slowed, but in an internet age there are other ways for ideas to travel."