White women lead way in conversions to Islam

Up TO 100,000 converts to Islam are living in the UK, with white women leading the growing number of people embracing the Muslim faith, according to a report published yesterday.

The number of converts to Islam may have risen from around 60,000 in 2001 to up to 90,000 to 100,000, according to estimates in a report for the Faith Matters organisation.

A study by Kevin Brice, of Swansea University, on behalf of Faith Matters, found 5,200 people converted to Islam in the UK last year.

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A survey of 122 converts last year showed 56 per cent were white British, with women making up 62 per cent of respondents. The average age at conversion was just over 27.

The majority reported difficulties after converting because of the negative attitude of their family, but over time this attitude became more "positive" according to the report.

The majority of the converts saw themselves as both British and Muslim and did not feel disillusioned with British society and culture.

But they also felt their own lives were "lacking in purpose" before conversion, and feared there was a "normalisation" of "immoral" behaviour among the British public.