Leicester
Afghan marriage in Leicester
Leicester in numbers
Leicester had 86,443 Muslim residents at the 2021 Census, 23% of everyone living there. That is about 3.6 times the England and Wales average of 6.5%.
The Census also counted 1,092 residents born in Afghanistan in Leicester (0.3% of residents), about 2.1 times the England and Wales average of 0.1%. Of the 96 council areas we cover in England and Wales, it ranks 8th for this group. This counts people born in Afghanistan only, so British-born Afghans are not included.
86,443
Muslim residents
23%
of Leicester
1,092
born in Afghanistan
3
mosques listed below
Source: ONS Census 2021 (tables TS030 religion, TS021 ethnic group and TS012 country of birth), usual residents.
Muslim life in Leicester
Leicester has one of the most diverse Muslim communities in the UK, with large Gujarati Indian, Pakistani, Somali, and Bangladeshi populations. The city's Jame Masjid on the site of the old Conduit Street swimming baths is one of the largest mosques in Europe. Evington Road is known for its halal restaurants. Leicester was the first city in England where less than half the population identified as White British.
Mosques in Leicester
- Jame Masjid Leicester (one of the largest in the UK)
- Masjid Umar (Evington)
- Leicester Central Mosque
Areas with large Muslim communities
Afghan marriage in the UK
Afghan migration to Britain spans several decades, with waves arriving during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, the Taliban era of the 1990s, and most recently following the 2021 Taliban takeover. The community includes Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks, each with distinct cultural traditions. London, Birmingham, and Manchester have the largest British Afghan populations, with new communities forming in cities across the UK through resettlement programmes.
Afghan marriage customs typically involve the Khastegari (formal proposal by the groom's family), the Shirini Khori (engagement sweetening ceremony), the Nikah conducted by a mullah, and an elaborate wedding celebration with traditional Afghan music and cuisine. Afghan families place strong emphasis on family honour, tribal or ethnic compatibility (Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara), and the groom's ability to provide for his family.
Languages often spoken at home: English, Pashto, Dari, Farsi.
How it works in Leicester
- Step 1
Create a free profile
Tell us about your faith, family and what you want in a spouse. You must be 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Step 2
Find people near you
Set your filters to Leicester or the wider area, plus sect and background, then send a like or a short compliment.
- Step 3
Talk with your wali involved
Chat opens once they accept. Invite your wali to get copies of the messages you send, and report or block anyone in one tap.
Questions about Afghan marriage in Leicester
How many Afghan Muslims live in Leicester?
The 2021 Census counted 1,092 residents born in Afghanistan in Leicester, 0.3% of residents. This counts people born in Afghanistan only, so British-born Afghans are not included. The same Census recorded 86,443 Muslims in the area.
Is UK Muslim Marriage free for Afghan Muslim singles in Leicester?
Joining is free and you can browse, like and chat with matches without paying. Optional Silver, Gold and Diamond memberships start at 99p a week and give you more likes, compliments and profile boosts. Memberships renew until you cancel, and you can cancel any time in the app.
How are profiles checked?
Our team reviews every new profile and photo before other members can see it. Members can also upload a UK photo ID and a selfie, which we check by hand, to get a Verified badge. You can report or block anyone from their profile or your chat.
Can my wali or parents be involved?
Yes. You can invite your wali, a parent or another guardian from the app. If you choose, they get an email copy of each message you send, so Afghan Muslim families can stay involved from the first conversation.
Afghan marriage in other cities
Other communities in Leicester
See also Muslim marriage in Leicester and Afghan marriage across the UK.
Looking for a Afghan spouse in Leicester?
Create a free profile in a few minutes. Every profile is reviewed, and your wali can be involved from day one.