The woking mosque: A case study of Muslim engagement with British society since 1889

Abstract

Aided by the presence of an Indo‐Arab mosque, the small town of Woking, Surrey, became the centre of Muslim activity in Britain during the first half of the twentieth century. Through an analysis of the Woking Muslim community, this article analyses predominantly South Asian Muslim engagement with British society. By means of comparison and contrast with research relating to the contemporary community, it is argued that an examination of the earlier South Asian Muslim community offers important insights into the situation of Muslims in Woking today and sheds light on the transformation of Muslim experience and identity in modern Britain.’