8 May 2025

The East London Mosque (ELM) recently hosted the official launch of a groundbreaking new report, Digital Islam in Britain: How Online Environments Impact Everyday Muslim Lives, a major study examining how digital spaces are reshaping the lived experiences of Muslims across the UK.

Produced by the Digital British Islam research team and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the report presents timely and in-depth findings on the ways British Muslims engage with faith, identity, and community in an increasingly online world.

The event, delivered in partnership with the Digital British Islam team, brought together national and local Muslim organisations, community leaders, and stakeholders. Key speakers included Professor Gary R. Bunt (Principal Investigator, University of Wales Trinity Saint David), Professor Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor (Co-Investigator, Coventry University), and Dr Sadek Hamid (Research Fellow), who presented the report’s key findings and insights.

Based on a comprehensive three-year study, including nationwide focus groups, in-depth interviews, digital ethnography, and a survey of more than 2,000 British Muslims, the research reveals how Cyber Islamic Environments (CIEs) are reshaping expressions of faith, identity, and public engagement.

A key message from the research was that traditional models of leadership and communication risk becoming out of step with younger, digitally native generations. In this context, the ELM was highlighted as a leading example of how traditional institutions can successfully adapt to digital realities.

ELM has long embraced digital engagement through livestreaming, online fundraising, and a dedicated media and PR department. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it continued serving its community online, with Ramadan content reaching over 7.2 million views across platforms.

The report’s findings were seen as timely and relevant, highlighting the need for faith-based organisations to remain responsive, digitally literate, and informed in order to better serve and support their communities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The full report is available at digitalbritishislam.com. It offers vital insights for faith leaders, educators, policymakers, and anyone invested in the future of Muslim digital engagement in Britain.