Exhibition will show the history of Islam in Britain

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - An exploring the influence of Islam in Britain down the ages is underway in Reading, Berkshire.

 The exhibition called "Islam in Britain" is taking place at the Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) with support from the European Commission's Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme, and runs until 30 November.

 The exhibition looks right back to 754 when King Offa of Mercia (pictured above) received ambassadors from the Caliph of Baghdad.

 King Offa even minted gold coins which were copied from an Abbasid dinar struck in 774 by Caliph Al-Mansur. The English version of the coin has the Arabic sentence "There is no god but God without partner" with the ROman letter "Offa Rex" centred on the reverse side.

 It examines the trade in luxury goods from the Arab world brought by traders to spice up the lives of Anglo-Saxons.

 From fashion to science, language to architecture, the exhibition reveals how the history of Islam and Britain are woven together.

 RISC worker Dave Richards, who did the research for the exhibition, said: "The project has been a fascinating journey into the past. It’s important to realise that until Tudor times, the Muslim empires that stretched across North Africa to India and beyond were world superpowers.

 "They supported great universities making incredible advances in science and technology as well as producing luxury goods that Britain and the rest of Europe craved.

 "The East India Company started operating in 1602 to get a piece of this profitable business. Many countries they traded with were Muslim and so were the seamen they recruited.

 "When the ships returned to London with their cargoes, some stayed and formed the first Muslim communities.

 "Many thousands of Muslims were also recruited to the British Indian Army and fought in colonial wars all over the world and made a huge contribution in both world wars."

 The exhibition is part of the Reading International Festival.

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