Only eight per cent of imams preaching in British mosques were born in the UK, BBC-commissioned research suggests.
Only eight per cent of imams preaching in British mosques were born in the UK, BBC-commissioned research suggests.
The research, for BBC News and the BBC Asian Network, also suggests that only 6% of imams in Britain speak English as a first language.
The research, for BBC News and the BBC Asian Network, also suggests that only 6% of imams in Britain speak English as a first language.
And almost 45% of imams have been in the UK for less than five years, the report adds.
And almost 45% of imams have been in the UK for less than five years, the report adds.
Staff at 300 mosques were questioned for the research, conducted by the University of Chester.
Staff at 300 mosques were questioned for the research, conducted by the University of Chester.
Report author Professor Ron Geaves said the aim of the study was to look at the ability of imams to adapt to British culture.
Report author Professor Ron Geaves said the aim of the study was to look at the ability of imams to adapt to British culture.
Each mosque was asked a set of questions about imams including their place of birth, first language, qualifications and language of the Friday sermon.
Each mosque was asked a set of questions about imams including their place of birth, first language, qualifications and language of the Friday sermon.
The study reveals a deeply conservative body of individuals maintaining traditional languages, types of qualification and still largely recruited from the place of origin Professor Ron GeavesUniversity of Chester
The study reveals a deeply conservative body of individuals maintaining traditional languages, types of qualification and still largely recruited from the place of origin Professor Ron GeavesUniversity of Chester
The study also suggests that 50% of imams are from Pakistan, 20% from Bangladesh and 15% from India.
The study also suggests that 50% of imams are from Pakistan, 20% from Bangladesh and 15% from India.
Some 66% of imams speak Urdu as a first language with 52% giving sermons in the language, it adds.
Some 66% of imams speak Urdu as a first language with 52% giving sermons in the language, it adds.
It also suggests that 6% of imams arrived in the UK in the past 12 months with 23% being in the UK for more than 10 years.
It also suggests that 6% of imams arrived in the UK in the past 12 months with 23% being in the UK for more than 10 years.
Professor Geaves said: "The study reveals a deeply conservative body of individuals maintaining traditional languages, types of qualification and still largely recruited from the place of origin."
Professor Geaves said: "The study reveals a deeply conservative body of individuals maintaining traditional languages, types of qualification and still largely recruited from the place of origin."
The imams were "overwhelmingly" qualified in the traditional Islamic curriculum, which he said had changed little since medieval times.
The imams were "overwhelmingly" qualified in the traditional Islamic curriculum, which he said had changed little since medieval times.
He added: "Although there are social religious and political reasons that drive a need to transform the imamate to a 21st century British context there is as yet little sign of the mosque imams or their employers being ready to professionalise."
He added: "Although there are social religious and political reasons that drive a need to transform the imamate to a 21st century British context there is as yet little sign of the mosque imams or their employers being ready to professionalise."
Mosque staff were interviewed between February and March 2007.
Mosque staff were interviewed between February and March 2007.
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