From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Azerbaijanis in the United Kingdom
Total population
Azerbaijan-born residents
6,220 (2013 ONS estimate) [1]
Regions with significant populations
London
Languages
British English, Azerbaijani
Religion
Shia Islam, Secular
Related ethnic groups
Azerbaijani American
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Language
Persecution
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Azerbaijanis in the United Kingdom or Azerbaijani Britons 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 Azerbaijani oligarchs were amongst the top investors in the London property market, having together with Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakhstani and Georgian oligarchs purchased over £2bn of luxury residential property in London in the previous two years. [3] [4]

In May 2014, Murad Gassanly became first British-Azerbaijani win elected office, becoming councillor at Westminster City Council, representing the Labour Party. [5] [6] In 2019, he joined the Conservative Party. [7]

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. [8]

Culture

As of 2008, there is Azerbaijan House Culture and Friendship Centre functioning in London. [9]

Arts and entertainment

A number of Azerbaijani art exhibitions have been held in the UK. [10] Works by acclaimed Azerbaijani artists were displayed at an exhibition in London's Sotheby's art auction. [11] [12]

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. [13] 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. [14]

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. [15] [16]

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. [17] [18] The largest of such gatherings occurs in the London area. [19] [20]

Cuisine

See also: Azerbaijani 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. [21]

Religion

See also: Religion in the United Kingdom

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. [22]

Media

Daughter of President Ilham Aliyev, Leyla Aliyeva launched the Baku magazine in London in 2011. [23]

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. [24] The team celebrated their first title in 2013 by becoming league champions. [25] [26] It also become the first English club to play in the main round of UEFA Futsal Cup. [27]

British Azerbaijanis

Main article: List of British Azerbaijanis

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b "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). Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  5. ^ "2014 Westminster City Council Election Results". www.westminster.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Britaniya bələdiyyə seçkilərində azərbaycanlı qalib gəlib". www.bbc.co.uk (in Azerbaijani). BBC. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Murad Gassanly: Why I left the Labour Party". Conservative Home. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Xaricdəki diaspor təşkilatları". azerbaijans.com (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Azerbaijan House". www.azerbaijanhouse.org. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  10. ^ Gleadell, Colin. "Art market: Azerbaijan in the spotlight". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  11. ^ Vickery, Jo. "Exploring Azerbaijan: In Pursuit of the Art of the Caucasus". www.sothebys.com. Sotheby's. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Azerbaijani art partakes at Sotheby's art auction in London". www.azerbaijanhouse.org. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  13. ^ "Elyar Fox > UK Charts". officialcharts.com/ Official Charts Company.
  14. ^ "British composer, songwriter and producer, Sami Yusuf is taking the stage this weekend at Istanbul's Arena Mega". www.dailysabah.com. March 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  15. ^ Zubek, Ewa. "Celebrating Azerbaijan's Ancient Novruz Festival in London". theculturetrip.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  16. ^ "Londonda Novruz bayramı tədbiri keçirilib (FOTO)". az.trend.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  17. ^ Batiyev, Bahram. В Великобритании почтили память жертв Ходжалы. 1news.az (in Russian). Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  18. ^ Absalom, Eugene. "Khojaly Commemoration Concert by TEAS at St John's Smith Square London". www.demotix.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  19. ^ "ASAIF holds demonstration on Khojaly genocide in London – PHOTOS". news.az. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  20. ^ "Londonda Xocalı soyqırımı ilə bağlı aksiya keçirilib – YENİLƏNİB". news.lent.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  21. ^ Maschler, Fay. "Baku – review". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  22. ^ "Londonda Ramazan: azərbaycanlılar iftarı necə açır?". www.bbc.co.uk (in Azerbaijani). BBC. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  23. ^ "Condé Nast to publish international edition of Baku magazine". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Baku United's Official Page". bakutd.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  25. ^ "Futsal club Baku United becomes champion of England". News.az. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  26. ^ "BAKU SPOT ON IN FINAL". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  27. ^ Saffer, Paul. "Reed backs Baku United to move forward". www.uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
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