A photograph from an exhibition showcasing ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Leicester (ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥) research about what Muslim men wear to Jummah – or Friday prayer - has been named as one of the pictures of the year by the British Journal of Photography.
The portrait of Bodrul Islam
“Jummah Aesthetics: British Muslim Men and their Sartorial Choices” is currently on show in London’s Oxford House and was the idea of Dr Fatima Rajina, a Stephen Lawrence Research Centre (SLRC) fellow at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥, with social documentary photographer Rehan Jamil.
Fatima had looked into what Muslim men wear as part of her PhD and the research features in her recently published book British Bangladesh Muslims in the East End: The Changing Landscape of Dress and Language.
But she wanted to take the research to a wider audience and start conversations about an area of Muslim culture which is not often broached, and so not very well understood in wider communities.
Fatima and Rehan stood outside mosques in London’s Tower Hamlets every Friday for eight months, stopping men on their way to Jummah to capture images and words explaining their choice of dress.
The outfits were wide-ranging, from monochrome Arab thobes to colourful south Asian kurtas as well as tracksuits and trainers or stylish blazers.
The exhibition, which is supported by the British Academy and the SLRC at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥, has proved so popular - and attracted such wide media attention - that it has been extended by a month to the end of February.
To add to this success, one of Rehan’s images has been singled out by the British Journal of Photography.
The image is of Bodrul Islam, a volunteer at the East London Mosque, who stands by the car park gate directing some 7,000 worshippers towards the mosque during Friday prayers. It has been appearing on a carousel of other winning photographs on JC Decaux advertising hoardings across the UK – giving widespread recognition to the originality and significance of the exhibition.
Fatima, an SLRC sociologist who lectures on race and identity as well as fashion at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥, said: “I started this project because I am fascinated by the history and sociology of clothes and particularly those of British Muslim men.
“I looked at dress as one of the variations in my book and for my PhD - and I wanted to do more.
“Combining my research with these photographs has created something quite powerful. It is starting conversations and shows, as they say, that a picture says 1000 words.
“A lot has been said about Muslim women and how clothing has changed over the decades but there are very few discussions about the changes in how Muslim men dress for Jummah.
SLRC Research Fellow Fatima Rajina
“We should not solely look at the reactionary ways Muslim men in particular are discussed in the media. We need to start some conversations.”
Rehan said: “I am absolutely delighted with how the exhibition has turned out and the incredible response it has received. Seeing Jummah Aesthetics: British Muslim Men and Their Sartorial Choices resonate with so many people is deeply rewarding.
“Working with Dr Fatima Rajina was an absolute pleasure—her insights brought so much depth to the project. Being named as one of the Portrait of Britain winners is an incredible honour, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase a story that reflects the beauty and diversity of our communities.”
Fatima added: “I was delighted when Oxford House said they were extending the show to the end of February.
“So many people are talking about this exhibition because they have never seen anything like it before. It is something different and something refreshing about Muslim culture. These men are practising their faith and ensuring they are standing in front of God prepared and clean and wearing their best outfits.
“A friend told me it used to be the same in churches when men would wear their ‘Sunday best’. It makes people ask questions about how they perceive Muslim men and fashion.”
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Posted on Wednesday 12 February 2025