Shahed Saleem’s ground-breaking research is helping to protect and gain recognition for British mosques, by bringing their previously “invisible history” to light.
Inclusion lies at the heart of Shahed Saleem’s innovative research project – the first investigation into the history of British mosques as an architectural type.
Bringing new recognition to the important place British Muslims hold in our national identity, Saleem’s innovative research technique has also broadened the academic study of architecture.
Tracing an “invisible” architectural history
When Historic England commissioned Saleem to undertake an in-depth architectural study of British mosques, in 2010, this had never been done – despite there being over a century’s worth of heritage. And there was no obvious starting point. Most of Britain’s mosques were designed and built incrementally over time by migrant communities, whose lives and buildings have rarely been documented.
“The mainstream narratives of architecture and architectural history haven’t taken into account the contribution of mosques,” says Historic England’s Head of Communities Research. “Largely because nobody knows what’s there and where it is, so it’s kind of been invisible.”
Capturing this unique architectural history demanded a wholly new methodology. This involved Saleem:
- using Google Earth to identify and categorise some 1500 mosques across the UK
- consulting local council archives and online websites to track the buildings’ histories
- approaching the mosques themselves, to review their archives and make building visits
- carrying out broader historical and sociological research around Muslims’ place in society
- developing oral histories by interviewing people connected with the mosques
The result of this extensive work is captured in Saleem’s 2018 book, The British Mosque: An Architectural and Social History – a first-of-its-kind study into British Islamic architecture.
The importance of listing British mosques
Saleem’s research resulted in three new listings and the upgrading of two existing listings for British mosques.
“Listing marks and celebrates a building's special architectural and historic interest,” the Historic England’s Strategy Head says.
Listing also brings a building into the planning system, giving it official protection but also recognising British Muslims’ contribution to the nation’s culture and heritage.
Our historic buildings tell the story of Britain’s past and the people, places and events that shaped them. By listing these beautiful mosques, we are not only preserving important places of worship, but also celebrating the rich heritage of Muslim communities in England.
- Former Heritage Minister, Michael Ellis MP
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) says Saleem’s research and the listings of certain mosques “is of huge significance to the Muslim community”.
“It is the first time that the contribution of Muslims to the culture and architectural history of this country is formally and officially recognised.”
This has, in turn, inspired the MCB to become a permanent member of the Historic England Places of Worship Forum.
“Through this position the MCB can advocate for mosques that are of historic significance and of heritage value.”
In this capacity, the MCB has already brought about changes, such as adding further details to descriptions of all listed mosques.
Activating the V&A’s Islamic collection
Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum curators approached Saleem in response to his book, in a collaboration which led to the museum’s ‘Three British Mosques’ installation at the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Along with this installation, an Assistant Curator of Design explains, a Ramadan Pavilion has been “conceptualised and designed” by Saleem – initially as “the V&A’s headline installation” for the London Festival of Architecture 2021, before disruption by the pandemic.
This collaboration has significantly influenced the V&A’s creative practice, resulting in major changes to how it approaches its Islamic collection: “Despite having one of the largest Islamic collections in the world, the culture of British Islam, has fallen between collections. Saleem’s book and his collaboration with the V&A have drawn attention to this hugely important part of the architectural and social history of Britain.”
Saleem arranged for Westminster’s architecture students to collaborate in the installation’s design as part of their coursework, which was also a learning experience for the V&A team.
The project that Saleem has facilitated with his students at the University of Westminster is an exemplary model of direct engagement with the V&A’s collections for the purpose of contemporary design.
– Assistant Curator in Designs at the V&A
“It has been an enormous benefit to engage with the views of Saleem’s students,” the Assistant Curator adds. “The ideas of the students, and their diverse perspectives, has both challenged and strengthened the design of the pavilion, to the V&A’s benefit.”
A roadmap for greater inclusivity
Since publishing his book, many British Muslim architecture students from other institutions have contacted Saleem to explain what it means to them.
“Identity is an issue that British Muslim millennials, like myself, continually struggle with, given the tug of war between religion, culture and nativity,” one student wrote. “However after reading this book I realised that parts of my identity were concretised in the walls, minarets and plaster of mosques all over Britain.”
“Your research allowed me to feel liberated and empowered, amidst a time of great political friction between Islam and the West,” a graduate from another institution wrote.
As well as highlighting British Muslims’ culture and achievement, a non-Muslim student from another institution suggests that Saleem’s work offers a roadmap for greater inclusivity: “His identification of absences within mainstream heritage recognition paves the way for further exploration of how heritage representation could become more diverse and inclusive.”
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