The United Kingdom faces a significant and growing challenge as it grapples with the increasing influence of Islamic practices in the social and political spheres. One of the most shocking issues related to the rise of Islamic communities in the United Kingdom is the threat posed by grooming gangs—groups engaged in the sexual exploitation of young girls.

In his address at the United Nations, Donald Trump spoke, among other things, about how Sharia councils are gaining greater influence in London. The President of the United States claimed that London wants „to go to Sharia law.” The Mayor of London rejected Trump’s statement, and Keir Starmer stood up for Sadiq Khan over the matter. Nevertheless, the issue once again brought the danger of Islamisation to the surface – a problem particularly relevant in countries such as the United Kingdom, which have opened their doors to migration.

However, this issue is far from limited to the UK – it is a global problem that has a profound impact on many other countries. The spread of Islamic practices and their intertwining with legal, social, and political structures worldwide have sparked fierce debates about integration, religious freedom, and social unity. Issues such as the spread of grooming gangs and the growing political influence of Muslim communities highlight the urgent need for national and international discussions on how to preserve social harmony and cohesion in an era of rapid demographic change. From the quiet spread of Sharia law in some communities to the growing political influence of Muslim groups, the United Kingdom stands at a critical crossroads.

Multicultural Society at the Crossroads

Like many other Western democracies, the UK has positioned itself as a society that takes a multicultural approach to integrating diverse communities. Over time, however, the growing Muslim population has begun to pose serious challenges.

The spread of Sharia law in some British communities, the disturbing cases of grooming gangs, and the significant political influence of Muslim communities in areas with large Muslim populations all raise major concerns about the future of British society,

a study has warned, emphasizing:

A key question is whether Britain will lose its secular character and allow parallel systems of governance and law to take root. This has not only caused divisions in the British political landscape but has also drawn attention abroad, particularly in India, which faces similar questions of religious integration.

Thus, the debate over the influence of Islam in the UK is more than a national issue; it reflects wider global discussions about religious freedom, political influence, and cultural integration in an increasingly pluralistic world.

It raises critical questions about balancing respect for cultural diversity with the preservation of fundamental values of secularism and equality. Furthermore, as Muslim communities continue to grow worldwide, the way in which countries handle these challenges will shape the future of multiculturalism across the globe.

The Spread of Sharia Law in the United Kingdom

Founded in 1982, the Islamic Sharia Council in East London is one of at least five Sharia councils in the capital. They make rulings in a range of disputes, including key personal matters such as marriage and divorce.

In recent decades, Islamic practices, including the application of Sharia law, have taken root in certain regions of the UK, particularly in areas with high Muslim populations. Although Sharia law is not part of the UK’s official legal system, the increasing use of Sharia councils has sparked debates about the place of religious law in a secular society. These councils mainly deal with family matters, such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Critics argue, however, that their decisions often conflict with principles of equality and human rights enshrined in UK law.

Sharia councils operate in a legal grey area in Britain. The Arbitration Act of 1996 allows religious institutions to settle disputes according to their faith. Yet concerns have been raised about the lack of regulation and transparency, as well as the potential for discrimination, particularly against women. For example, polygamous marriages and unequal inheritance rights are reportedly permitted by some Sharia councils, even though such practices are illegal under UK law. While some claim these councils provide Muslims with the ability to handle personal matters in a cultural context, others believe they undermine British values of equality and fairness.

The government maintains that Sharia law is not recognised by the UK legal system. However, the very existence and flourishing of these councils in certain areas raises the question of whether the UK is allowing a parallel legal system to emerge. The application of Sharia law in the UK – particularly in family matters – is often seen as a test case for how far religious laws can influence secular states.

Grooming Gangs

One of the most shocking issues linked to the rise of Islamic communities in the UK is the threat posed by grooming gangs – groups involved in the sexual exploitation of young girls. Over the past two decades, several high-profile cases have revealed that some grooming gangs consisted of men from Muslim backgrounds, sparking heated debates about the role of Islamic communities in these abuses.

In some cases, older Muslim men lured, abducted, and held captive underage, non-Muslim, mostly white British girls, allegedly for religious reasons. The brutal acts were widespread, yet they received no coverage in the mainstream „secular” media. One shocking report described a rape victim as having been „forced to sleep with over 1,000 men.”

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the grooming gangs debate is that the authorities were unwilling to investigate these cases thoroughly, allegedly for fear of being accused of racism or Islamophobia. Critics point out that the failure to act was influenced by political correctness and a desire to maintain good relations with minority communities, often for electoral reasons.

Grooming refers to the practice where an adult befriends a child – sometimes online – with the aim of sexual exploitation. Offenders typically pretend to be friends, or even in love, in order to gain the child’s emotional trust and then exploit them.

The Political Influence of Muslim Communities

In Muslim-majority areas of the UK, there is growing concern that Islamic institutions wield significant political influence. This is particularly visible in local councils, where Muslim groups can dominate decision-making and shape local politics to suit their own interests. Some see this as a natural outcome of integration and political participation; others regard it as an increasing challenge to British secularism.

The political influence of these communities takes various forms, from the election of Muslim MPs to the introduction of policies aligned with Islamic values and social practices. Critics argue that prioritising Muslim communities for electoral reasons may entrench “political Islam” in the UK. A frequent concern is that politicians eager to secure Muslim votes may ignore or tolerate practices that conflict with the broader values of British society.

This raises an important question: where should the line be drawn between respecting religious freedom and upholding the secular values of the state?

At the heart of the debate over Islam’s influence in the UK lies the role of political leadership, which has enabled certain practices to spread. Critics claim that the political elite is complicit in the rise of Sharia councils and the advance of political Islam as a kind of “vote-bank politics.” Some argue that in exchange for political support, politicians have allowed Muslim communities to avoid reporting serious issues such as grooming gangs, or have turned a blind eye to practices potentially harmful to the structure of British society.

The United Kingdom is adopting a definition of „Islamophobia” that will protect the grooming gangs from arrest or even criticism. 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/Xhbi61K3pW

— Dr. David Wood (@Acts17David) September 24, 2025

A Wake-Up Call for the World

The unchecked growth of Islamic influence in the UK – from the slow spread of Sharia law in some areas, to the horrific grooming scandals, to the increasing political dominance of Muslim communities – represents a dangerous and alarming shift in Britain’s social and political fabric.

The growing political dominance of Muslim communities in Western democracies is not merely a regional issue – it poses a direct threat to India’s sovereignty and social cohesion. Through aggressive lobbying, well-funded networks, and strategic influence over global narratives, these forces are actively shaping policies that could weaken India’s position on the world stage and destabilise its internal unity.