WILLIAM ABDULLAH QUILLIAM

William Abdullah Quilliam

William Abdullah Quilliam (born William Henry Quilliam; 1856–1932) was a fascinating figure in British history—a Victorian lawyer who became one of the most influential converts to Islam in the West.

He didn't just change his faith; he essentially built the first organized Muslim community in the United Kingdom.

The Journey to Islam

Quilliam was a successful solicitor in Liverpool. During a trip to Morocco in 1887 to recover from an illness, he became captivated by the Islamic faith and lifestyle. He converted to Islam in 1887 at age 31 and changed his name to Abdullah.

Major Achievements

Upon his return to Liverpool, he became a tireless advocate for his new faith:

• The Liverpool Muslim Institute: Founded in 1887, this was the first mosque and Islamic center in England. It wasn't just a place of prayer; it included a school, an orphanage, and a printing press.
• Sheikh-ul-Islam of the British Isles: In 1894, Sultan Abdul Hamid II (the last Caliph of the Ottoman Empire) officially granted Quilliam this title, recognizing him as the leader of British Muslims.
• The Crescent: He established a weekly newspaper that circulated internationally, connecting Muslims across the globe and explaining Islam to the Victorian public.

Why He Matters Today

Quilliam was a man of "dual identities" long before it was common. He remained a proud Briton while being a devout Muslim, often arguing that Islamic values were entirely compatible with British legal and moral principles.

"The religion of Islam is a religion of nature... it is a religion of reason." — Abdullah Quilliam

Later Life and Legacy

Facing significant local prejudice and even physical attacks on his mosque, Quilliam eventually left Liverpool in 1908. He later returned to the UK under the name Henri Marcel Leon and spent his final years in London, where he is buried at Brookwood Cemetery near other prominent British Muslims.

He died in Taviton Street, Bloomsbury, London in 1932 and was buried in an unmarked grafe at Brookwood Cemetery near Woking. 

Today, his mosque at 8-10 Brougham Terrace in Liverpool has been restored and stands as a testament to his pioneering spirit.

Google Gemini AI

27 January 2026: 6.55 p.m