Muslim population in UK tops 3 million for the first time

Based on recent trends some areas in UK will become Muslim majority areas within a decade

England is now home to more than three million Muslims for the first time ever according to new figures.

In some parts of London, nearly half the population is now Muslim, according to detailed analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).  Based on recent trends they will be the majority in those areas within a decade.



Half of the Muslims in England and Wales were born outside the abroad and more are under the age of ten than in any other age group, indicating their numbers will grow still further.

PHOTO: Albawaba

The three million milestone,which means Muslims represent one in 20 people across the country, will reignite debate about the changing face of Britain amid growing demands for Muslims to integrate further into society.

Lord Green of Deddington, the former diplomat who chairs Migration Watch UK, said, "This is clear evidence of the way in which mass immigration is rapidly changing the nature of our society. The Home Secretary was right in her conference speech to point to the potential pressures on social cohesion."

The ONS has also identified eight areas around the country where Muslims make up a substantial portion of local population.

Muslims account for 29 per cent of the population in Blackburn; 26 per cent in Slough; 25.7 per cent in Luton; 23 per cent in Birmingham; 20 per cent in Leicester; and 18 per cent in Manchester.



Further, the Muslim population is expected to rise more as a result of the exceptional surge in refugees from Middle Eastern and North African countries trying to reach Western Europe in the previous year.

Concerned about the integration of communities in the UK, Baroness Cox, who is trying to push through a Bill that would outlaw gender discrimination in Sharia courts, said, "Other communities that have come to this country have assimilated, but there is a real concern about these closed communities."

Many took to Twitter as figures on Muslim population were released in the UK.

https://twitter.com/EdmundEngland/status/693643982874738688

https://twitter.com/den2114/status/693670605594435584

https://twitter.com/luckie408/status/693678003683872768

Muslims in UK top 3 million for first time with over 50% born abroad https://t.co/gakCgPbDEd via @MailOnline

Jesus wept

— Pym Purnell (@PymPurnell) January 30, 2016

England is home to more than three million Muslims for the first time. In some parts of London, close to half the... https://t.co/JNCUeWlvHi

— TraditionalBritain (@TradBritGroup) January 31, 2016

England is home to more than three million Muslims for the first time ever, new figures show. The number has d... https://t.co/vV3lWojCWE

— Siron 🆒 (@SironLive) January 31, 2016

This article originally appeared on Mail Online