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.
Almost 45% of imams have been in the UK for less than five years, the Chester University survey of 300 mosques found.
Almost 45% of imams have been in the UK for less than five years, the Chester University survey of 300 mosques found.
Report author Professor Ron Geaves said the aim was to look at the ability of imams to adapt to modern Britain.
Report author Professor Ron Geaves said the aim was to look at the ability of imams to adapt to modern Britain.
Tackling radicalism
Tackling radicalism
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the survey contains no evidence that imams are doing anything to radicalise young British Muslims but suggests some lack the language and skills to help tackle the threat from extremism.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the survey contains no evidence that imams are doing anything to radicalise young British Muslims but suggests some lack the language and skills to help tackle the threat from extremism.
He said imams face competition from groups who wait outside mosques to hand out leaflets and are prepared to talk to young people in English about issues such as discrimination and UK foreign policy in the Middle East.
He said imams face competition from groups who wait outside mosques to hand out leaflets and are prepared to talk to young people in English about issues such as discrimination and UK foreign policy in the Middle East.
If they can play their role properly and communicate with young people they can get the message across to wider society in a very good way Muhammad Abdul Bari Muslim Council of Britain
Dr Usama Hasan, an academic and an imam at a London mosque, said some mosques do not "serve the needs" of Muslims who were born and brought up in the UK.
Dr Usama Hasan, an academic and an imam at a London mosque, said some mosques do not "serve the needs" of Muslims who were born and brought up in the UK.
"Because they still have a love for religion and spirituality they will turn to often self styled preachers who have no theological training, no real background," he said.
"Because they still have a love for religion and spirituality they will turn to often self styled preachers who have no theological training, no real background," he said.
If they can play their role properly and communicate with young people they can get the message across to wider society in a very good way Muhammad Abdul Bari Muslim Council of Britain
Muslim leaders are meeting this weekend to discuss ways of tackling radicalism in their community.
Muslim leaders are meeting this weekend to discuss ways of tackling radicalism in their community.
The general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, Muhammad Abdul Bari, told the BBC imams are essential to an effective strategy.
The general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, Muhammad Abdul Bari, told the BBC imams are essential to an effective strategy.
"Imans are those who can talk and engage the young people and old people so if they can play their role properly and communicate with young people they can get the message across to wider society in a very good way," he said.
"Imans are those who can talk and engage the young people and old people so if they can play their role properly and communicate with young people they can get the message across to wider society in a very good way," he said.
'Deeply conservative'
'Deeply conservative'
The report acknowledges the use of English is becoming more prevalent at Friday sermons but says more investigation is required to assess the frequency and quality.
The report acknowledges the use of English is becoming more prevalent at Friday sermons but says more investigation is required to assess the frequency and quality.
The survey found 24 imams were born and educated in the UK but this does not reflect the percentage of British-born South Asian Muslims who represent more than half of the Muslim population, it adds.
The survey found 24 imams were born and educated in the UK but this does not reflect the percentage of British-born South Asian Muslims who represent more than half of the Muslim population, it adds.
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 found 50% of imams are from Pakistan, 20% from Bangladesh and 15% from India.
The study found 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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