Hindu guide who converted to Islam tracks Turkish and Muslim history in London
Abdulmaalik Tailor, who traces the historical impact of Muslims and Turks in England, shares numerous stories during his tours, from the Arabic connection of the famous Trafalgar Square to how the Ottomans organized the first Eid prayer in London. (AA Photo)
Tour guide Abdulmaalik Tailor, who converted to Islam from Hinduism at the age of 18, is shedding light on the historical presence of Muslims and Turks in Britain. Through his specially curated tours, he narrates captivating stories, from the Arabic connection of Trafalgar Square, to how the Ottoman Embassy organized the first recorded Eid prayer in London.
As the pioneer of Muslim history tours in the U.K., Tailor has mapped out nearly 50 distinct guided experiences, revealing the deep-rooted influence of Muslim communities, particularly in London.
A spiritual journey to Islam
Tailor’s own path to Islam is as compelling as the stories he shares. Raised as a devout Hindu, he grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in Hackney and attended an Anglican school. Curiously, Islam was the religion he had encountered the least. However, after fasting for the first time at 17, his interest grew.
A year later, he visited the Ramadan Mosque in Shacklewell Lane in North London, introduced by a Turkish Cypriot, and embraced Islam.
“Those five seconds felt endless,” he recalled of the moment he converted. His family, however, did not take the news well. Facing verbal and physical assaults, including an attempt on his life, Tailor had to leave home. Seeking refuge in a mosque, he continued his journey of discovery, which eventually led him to explore and document the legacy of Muslims in Britain.
First recorded Eid prayer in London
One of Tailor’s most fascinating discoveries was the first recorded Eid prayer in London, which took place in 1894 in Chingford. “I was researching late at night and nearly fell off my chair when I found this,” he said. Having grown up nearby, he had never heard of it. Even the local mayor was unaware of this historical event.
The Ottoman Embassy, in collaboration with the Anjuman-i Islam association, organized the prayer. Thanks to Tailor’s efforts, a blue plaque now marks the location, turning it into a site of historical significance.
London’s first Muslim lord, his Islamic legacy
Tailor’s tours include many prominent locations, such as the British Parliament, where he recounts the story of Lord Henry Stanley, the first Muslim Lord and Member of Parliament in Britain. After serving as a diplomat in Istanbul, Stanley embraced Islam and took the name Abdul Rahman. Upon returning to Wales, he shut down three pubs on his estate and incorporated Islamic art elements into church renovations.
Turkish name becomes police nickname
Tailor’s research also uncovered how a Turkish surname became a slang term within London’s police force. A Turkish Cypriot named Misri joined the Metropolitan Police in 1967, becoming the first Muslim officer in the department. Fluent in multiple languages, he was often deployed to handle crimes in foreign communities.
Even after he retired in 1979, his name lived on. “Whenever a superior officer needed a non-white officer, they would say, ‘Find a Misri,’” Tailor explained. The term became a lasting part of police culture.
Muslim pioneer behind fingerprint forensics
While London’s Metropolitan Police are credited with pioneering the use of fingerprinting in criminal investigations, Tailor revealed that this innovation traces back to a Muslim officer in India. Sir Edward Henry, who led the London police from 1903 to 1918, learned fingerprint analysis from Gazi Azizul Haq in Calcutta. Today, Haq is honored by the Forensic Science Society in the U.K., yet remains relatively unknown in the Islamic world.
Ottoman cannons, Trafalgar Square’s Arabic connection
London holds several visible reminders of Ottoman history. In the ceremonial grounds of the Household Cavalry, an Ottoman cannon stands with an inscription dating back to 1524, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman I. The inscription reads: “When these dragon-like weapons roar like thunder, enemy fortresses will be reduced to dust. Hijri 931.”
Tailor also sheds light on the Arabic origins of Trafalgar Square’s name. He explained that “Trafalgar” derives from the Arabic phrase “Taraf al-Ghar,” meaning “Cape of the Cave.”
The square, named after Britain’s famous naval victory off the coast of Spain, is home to a statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who received an honorary medal from Ottoman Sultan Selim III for his role in defending Egypt against the French.
Footsteps of an Ottoman sultan in London
Charing Cross Station, a major transport hub in central London, carries a unique Ottoman legacy. It was here that Sultan Abdulaziz, the first Ottoman ruler to visit Europe, arrived in 1867. The streets of London were adorned with British and Ottoman flags to welcome him.
During his visit, he attended a grand banquet at the historic Guildhall. Souvenirs commemorating his visit featured medallions displaying St. Paul’s Cathedral on one side and Hagia Sophia on the other.
However, Tailor recounted an interesting anecdote: Abdulaziz refused the “Star of India” medal offered to him, as his predecessor, Sultan Abdulmecid, had already received the British “Order of the Garter.”
Preserving forgotten Muslim history of Britain
Tailor’s efforts to uncover and share these historical narratives provide a new perspective on Britain’s multicultural past. Through his tours, he brings to life the contributions of Muslims and Turks to the U.K.’s history, ensuring their stories are recognized and remembered.
By meticulously curating these journeys, Abdulmaalik Tailor continued to transform London into an open-air museum of Muslim heritage, helping visitors and locals alike rediscover the city’s overlooked past.
