Embargoed until 9pm, Thursday, 18 December 2025

The London-based independent think-tank, the Ayaan Institute, announces the launch of the Great British Convert Study, a national research initiative designed to produce the most detailed portrait to date of Muslims who have embraced Islam in Britain. Commissioned jointly by Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) and the Convert Muslim Foundation (CMF), the study will be undertaken by the Ayaan Institute’s research team, led by the Institute’s Research Director, Yahya Birt, and by the sociologist Dr Will Barylo.

This project seeks to determine the scale and character of the convert population (which is currently estimated as being in a range between 160,000 and 200,000), the annual number of new Muslims, the reasons behind conversion, and the extent to which individuals later disengage from community networks or organisations. No single institution currently holds comprehensive data, making a collaborative, sector-wide approach essential.

Affiliates and organisations working with converts will be invited to contribute by sharing existing anonymised data and assisting in survey and interview outreach. All information collected will be subject to strict research protocols to ensure confidentiality and secure handling, with data destroyed on completion of the study.

Dr Barylo and Mr Birt said that “Our goal as researchers is simple: to provide a rigorous and compassionate understanding of the British convert experience. By pooling knowledge across the community, we can turn good intentions into informed action.”

The findings are expected to support the development of practical measures to strengthen support for converts across Britain.

Further information and contact details for participation are available from the project administrators at iERA and the Convert Muslim Foundation.

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