Britain’s imams - research
6 07 2007
BBC News and BBC Asian Network commissioned the Unversity of Chester to carry out research into Britain’s imams, which they publish today.
The research found that:
- 6% of imams in Britain speak English as a first language;
- 45% of imams have been in the UK for less than five years;
- 50% of imams are from Pakistan, 20% from Bangladesh and 15% from India; and
- 66% of imams speak Urdu as a first language with 52% giving sermons in the language.
The academic leading the research, Professor Ron Greaves of the University of Chester, said:
“The study reveals a deeply conservative body of individuals maintaining traditional languages, types of qualification and still largely recruited from the place of origin.”
You can listen to this morning’s BBC Radio 4 Today programme report on the research here (26mins in), and read a report on the research here.
Does the fact that 6% of imams speak English as a first language matter, when many imams may still speak English to a higher level than the average Briton who speaks English as a first language? Should imams be giving their sermons in Urdu or English? Does it really matter where they come from? Please let us know what you think by posting comments below.
