Malayali Muslim Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Islam came to Kerala through Arab traders centuries ago, and the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kerala is said to be one of the oldest mosques in India. The Mappila Muslims of Kerala's Malabar coast have a long history of trade and seafaring. Malayali Muslims in Birmingham include professionals, students and families.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 1,156 residents gave Malayalam as their main language. Main language figures leave out the many bilingual residents who use English day to day, so the number who speak the language at home is higher still. The census does not publish a Birmingham breakdown of Malayalam speakers by religion, and the community includes Christian, Hindu and Muslim families.

Working for Birmingham

Malayali Muslims in Birmingham work in healthcare, IT, engineering, business and education, and many have lived and worked in the Gulf before coming to Britain. They are known for their strong community organisations and their charity work.

Every community that has settled in Birmingham has helped to shape it. Newcomers have filled gaps in the workforce, opened shops and restaurants, and raised children who have gone on to become the city's doctors, teachers, engineers and entrepreneurs. The Malayali Muslim community is part of that tradition of hard work and ambition, and of the city's own motto: Forward.

Culture and community life

Ramadan and Eid are the highlights of the year, and Onam is also celebrated by many families. Malabar biryani, pathiri rice bread and sweet dishes are shared at gatherings, and Mappila songs, a unique tradition of Kerala Muslim music, are cherished.

Like so many of the communities that make up modern Birmingham, the Malayali Muslim community shows how a city can be home to many cultures at once. Its members are proud of where they come from, and just as proud to be Brummies.