Azerbaijanis in the United Kingdom

Azerbaijanis in the United Kingdom
Total population
Azerbaijan-born residents
6,220 (2013 ONS estimate)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Majority in London, as well Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham
Languages
Religion
Shia Islam (significantly secular)

Azerbaijanis in the United Kingdom are a small Azerbaijani diaspora in the United Kingdom, including British citizens and permanent residents of ethnic Azerbaijani background.

History

According to the Republic of Azerbaijan's state diaspora committee, Azerbaijani migration to Britain started in the late 19th century. The diaspora consists of Azerbaijanis from Azerbaijan, but also Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Central Asia and Russia.[2]

In 2014, according to Beauchamp Estates, Azerbaijanis oligarchs were amongst the top investors in the London property market, having together with Russian, Ukraininan, Kazakhstani and Georgians purchased over £2bn of luxury residential property in London over the past two years. Popular areas include Mayfair and Regent’s Park, with 85 percent of buyers choosing property in Knightsbridge or Belgravia typically priced between £15m and £60m.[3][4]

In May 2014, Murad Gassanly became first British-Azerbaijani to get elected as he became councillor at Westminster City Council, representing the Labour Party.[5][6]

Demographics

According to 2013 Office for National Statistics estimates based on the Labour Force Survey, there are around 6,220 Azerbaijani-born residents of the UK.[1] Most British Azerbaijanis are concentrated in London.[7]

Culture

As of 2008, there is Azerbaijan House Culture and Friendship Centre functioning in London.[8]

Arts and entertainment

A number of Azerbaijani art exhibitions have been held in the UK.[9] Works by acclaimed Azerbaijani artists were displayed at an exhibition in London's Sotheby's art auction.[10][11]

Numerous Azerbaijani musicians have been successful in British pop culture. In 2014, Elyar Fox became most successful British Azerbaijani in British Music as his song Do It All Over Again reached number 5th spot in UK Singles Chart.[12] Sami Yusuf is another notable performer. Yusuf gained considerable recognition especially in the Islamic World following the release of his second album, My Ummah, in July 2005.[13]

Celebrations

Significant Azerbaijani events or celebrations are celebrated by the community annually. The Nowruz is a celebration of the Persian New Year, celebrated by the Azerbaijani community every year.[14][15]

The Republic Day of Azerbaijan on 28 May is also celebrated by local communities. British Azerbaijanis gather in multiple towns and cities every year on 26 February for the recognition of the Khojaly Massacre.[16][17] The largest of such gatherings occurs in the London area.[18][19]

Cuisine

Dovga, a yoghurt soup cooked with a variety of herbs.

Azerbaijani cuisine is popular among British Azerbaijanis. A number of restaurants function in the London area and other locations with high concentration of British Azerbaijanis.[20]

Religion

The vast majority of the Azerbaijani community are Shia Muslims, whilst the remaining people generally do not have any religious affiliation. Some British Azerbaijanis worship at the East London Mosque, the largest Islamic mosque in the UK.[21]

Sports

Football is widely followed and played by many young British Azerbaijanis. As of 2008, Baku United futsal club founded by the Odlar Yurdu Organisation and currently participating in FA National Futsal League.[22] The team celebrated their first title in 2013 by becoming league champions.[23][24] It also become the first English club to play in the main round of UEFA Futsal Cup.[25]

Notable British Azerbaijanis

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Nationality and country of birth by age, sex and qualifications for Jan - Dec 2013". Office for National Statistics. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014. Note that the source states: "Estimates are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a margin of uncertainty. They should therefore be treated with caution".
  2. ↑ "Azərbaycan diasporunun məskunlaşma coğrafiyası". Diaspora.gov.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  3. ↑ Campbell, Scott. "Ukraine's oligarchs buy in to London". www.telegraph.co.uk. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Азербайджанцы среди главных инвесторов Лондона. www.biznesinfo.az (in Russian). Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "2014 Westminster City Council Election Results". www.westminster.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Britaniya bələdiyyə seçkilərində azərbaycanlı qalib gəlib". www.bbc.co.uk (in Azerbaijani). BBC. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Xaricdəki diaspor təşkilatları". azerbaijans.com (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "Azerbaijan House". www.azerbaijanhouse.org. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  9. ↑ Gleadell, Colin. "Art market: Azerbaijan in the spotlight". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  10. ↑ Vickery, Jo. "Exploring Azerbaijan: In Pursuit of the Art of the Caucasus". www.sothebys.com. Sotheby's. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Azerbaijani art partakes at Sotheby's art auction in London". www.azerbaijanhouse.org. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Elyar Fox > UK Charts". officialcharts.com/ Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ "British composer, songwriter and producer, Sami Yusuf is taking the stage this weekend at Istanbul's Arena Mega". www.dailysabah.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  14. ↑ Zubek, Ewa. "Celebrating Azerbaijan's Ancient Novruz Festival in London". theculturetrip.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  15. ↑ "Londonda Novruz bayramı tədbiri keçirilib (FOTO)". az.trend.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  16. ↑ Batiyev, Bahram. В Великобритании почтили память жертв Ходжалы. 1news.az (in Russian). Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  17. ↑ Absalom, Eugene. "Khojaly Commemoration Concert by TEAS at St John's Smith Square London". www.demotix.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  18. ↑ "ASAIF holds demonstration on Khojaly genocide in London - PHOTOS". news.az. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "Londonda Xocalı soyqırımı ilə bağlı aksiya keçirilib - YENİLƏNİB". news.lent.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  20. ↑ Maschler, Fay. "Baku - review". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  21. ↑ "Londonda Ramazan: azərbaycanlılar iftarı necə açır?". www.bbc.co.uk (in Azerbaijani). BBC. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  22. ↑ "Baku United's Official Page". bakutd.co.uk. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "Futsal club Baku United becomes champion of England". News.az. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  24. ↑ "BAKU SPOT ON IN FINAL". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  25. ↑ Saffer, Paul. "Reed backs Baku United to move forward". www.uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
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