The New Arab special series: Arabs in the UK

From Morocco to Egypt, Lebanon to Oman and Syria to Yemen, British Arabs are a diverse population that have different origins across many Arab countries.

To highlight the impact they have had across the UK, The New Arab has launched a new ongoing series called Arabs in the UK where we will explore what it means to be both Arab and British as well as how these multiple identities have been reconciled in cities across the nation.

Generally considered an underrepresented and under-researched group in British society, Arabs have contributed greatly to the cultures and social fabrics of the communities they have settled and live in.

For many Arabs, the United Kingdom is not only a place they call home, but also a home away from home where they have been able to navigate their rich identities and heritage through a British landscape.    

While not all British Arabs speak the Arabic language, it is still for many a unifying factor. As the seventh most spoken language in England and Wales (based on the 2011 census) it has been a linguistic bridge for different Arab communities to connect.

Stepping back in time, the series examines the history of the Arabs in the 19th and 20th centuries in Britain, including the Syrian merchant community and the Moroccan traders in Manchester. It also delves into the emergence of Yemeni sailors in Cardiff and South Shields at the end of the 19th century – with all these stories showcasing the pivotal roles that they have all played in their communities.  

Fast forward to the 21st century, the series features how Arabs in the UK have continued to imprint and provide invaluable contributions to society through politics, the arts, food, community social work and much, much more.   

With a rich history, compelling culture and noteworthy names and stories, there is so much to read about British Arabs, so follow The New Arab’s latest series here to find out more on where the tales began and where they intend to go.