British Bangladeshis

British Bangladeshis are people of Bangladeshi origin who live in the United Kingdom. They are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the UK and have made significant contributions to British society, particularly in areas like business, politics, education, and culture.

Most British Bangladeshis trace their roots to the Sylhet region in northeastern Bangladesh. Migration from Sylhet to the UK began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Sylheti men worked as seamen (known as lascars) for the British merchant navy. Larger-scale migration occurred during the 1950s to 1970s, especially after Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. Many came to Britain for better job opportunities and to escape political and economic instability.

As of the 2021 UK census, there are over 500,000 British Bangladeshis, with the largest communities in:

• London (especially in Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Camden)
• Birmingham
• Manchester
• Luton

Tower Hamlets, in particular, has one of the highest concentrations of Bangladeshis and is considered the cultural heart of the British Bangladeshi community.

British Bangladeshis often speak Bengali (Bangla) and its Sylheti dialect at home, while English is commonly used in public life. The vast majority are Muslims, mainly Sunni, and religion plays a central role in community life, with mosques and Islamic schools found in most areas with large Bangladeshi populations.

British Bangladeshis maintain a strong cultural identity. Traditional clothing like the shalwar kameez, sari, and kurta are worn during festivals and religious events. Popular festivals include:

• Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
• Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year)

Bangladeshi cuisine, especially curry dishes, is widely loved in Britain. Many Bangladeshis have been involved in the UK’s restaurant industry, particularly in the curry house business. In fact, many Indian restaurants in the UK are actually run by Bangladeshis.

British Bangladeshis have faced social challenges like:

• Poverty
• Educational barriers
• Racism and discrimination

However, in recent years, there has been notable progress in education, with more young British Bangladeshis attending universities and pursuing careers in law, medicine, business, and technology.

Some well-known British Bangladeshis include:

• Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow
• Nadiya Hussain, winner of The Great British Bake Off
• Muna Shamsie, a prominent writer