The Islamic Foundation UK

What The Islamic Foundation UK does

The Islamic Foundation is a UK-registered charity (No. 1160353) established in 1973 and headquartered on a roughly 10-acre campus in Markfield, Leicestershire. It operates as an integrated Islamic institution comprising a working mosque, one of Europe's largest Islamic libraries (40,000+ books and journals), a residential conference centre with 44 single rooms and a 150-person hall, and a bookshop. Its mission spans Islamic research, publishing, education, community support, and interfaith dialogue, with service offerings ranging from a Sunday Islamic school (Markfield Maktab) and Arabic language courses to higher-education degrees delivered through the affiliated Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MIHE), which is independently regulated by the QAA and awards degrees via Newman University. The foundation also runs the New Muslims Project supporting approximately 100 converts annually, publishes the long-running Muslim World Book Review (since 1980), and conducts research across Islamic economics, family life, mosques, and Muslims in Britain.

The foundation's revenue model is multi-stream and donation-led. It relies primarily on individual charitable contributions (online via Stripe with Gift Aid), an Ilm Fund targeting £250K/year from 2,000 recurring donors, an educational fee stream from Maktab (£30–40/month per child) and Arabic courses (£89/level), conference-centre hire, and book sales channelled through its publishing partner Kube Publishing Ltd. A Waqf (Islamic endowment) portfolio generates an average 7.5% return and contributes about 25% of the annual operating budget, while having cumulatively disbursed over £2 million in scholarships. The organisation has a small paid staff (6 employees) augmented by trustees, volunteers, and visiting scholars, and its go-to-market is community-led: word-of-mouth within the UK Muslim community, WhatsApp updates, open days, Eid events, and interfaith outreach.

Strategically, the foundation is mid-execution on a £4.2–4.7 million capital project, the Markfield Ilm Hub, intended to expand conference, library, and retreat capacity by 2,800 sqm. It is also mid-digitisation of its content catalogue through the ILM Courses online learning platform launched in 2020, and is broadening its donor base through the Ilm Fund recurring-giving programme. Recent years have been marked by losses of foundational intellectual figures (Prof. Khurshid Ahmad, 2025; Prof. Ataullah Siddiqui; founding trustee Muhammad Hashir Faruqi, 2022), prompting memorialisation activity and signalling a leadership-transition moment for a 50-year-old institution.

Name

The Islamic Foundation UK

Legal name

The Islamic Foundation

Website

https://islamic-foundation.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Islamic Foundation is a UK-registered charity (est. 1973) operating an integrated Islamic campus in Markfield, Leicestershire, delivering religious services, education (Maktab to MIHE degrees), publishing, research, convert support, and interfaith dialogue to the British Muslim community and international scholars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education and Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Finance Services (6199), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Shariah Governance, Compliance & Advisory (Shariah Boards, Audit, Fatwa) (FSABAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Islamic Private Banking & Wealth (FSABAGAD)

Keywords

• Islamic education services
• Religious community services
• Islamic publishing
• Higher education programs
• Interfaith dialogue

Headquarters

HQ city

Markfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a registered UK charity (No. 1160353) and relies heavily on donations from individuals and organizations. Various donation options including monthly recurring donations (£10/month) and one-time contributions.
2. Education Course Fees: Revenue from educational programs including Markfield Maktab (Sunday Islamic School) with monthly fees of £40 for first child, reduced for siblings, and Arabic language courses at £89 per level.
3. Conference Centre Hire: Markfield Conference Centre generates revenue from hiring out conference facilities for events, seminars, training programmes, and residential accommodation. Subsidized rates are offered for community organizations.
4. Waqf (Endowment) Fund: Endowment fund investments generating approximately 7.5% returns, providing about 25% of the foundation's current budget for sustainability.
5. Publications: Published over 400 titles. Publishing and distribution is managed by partner company Kube Publishing Ltd.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Islamic Foundation UK operates as a registered UK charity delivering Islamic education, religious services, publishing, research, and community support. Its offerings span mosque services, a residential conference centre, a Sunday Islamic school, an accredited higher education institute (MIHE), Arabic and Islamic courses, an online learning platform, an Islamic library, and a publications catalogue of over 400 titles distributed through Kube Publishing. The foundation also provides dedicated programmes for new Muslim converts and engages in interfaith dialogue.

Product overview

The Islamic Foundation UK is a charitable organization established in 1973 operating as a multi-project institution focused on Islamic research, publishing, education, community support, and interfaith dialogue. Its portfolio consists primarily of educational and community service offerings rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: Markfield Mosque (prayer facilities), Markfield Conference Centre (event venue with residential accommodation), Markfield Institute of Higher Education (accredited degree programmes in Islamic studies), Markfield Maktab (Sunday Islamic school for children), and the Islamic Library (40,000+ volumes). Supporting services include Publications through Kube Publishing (400+ titles), The Muslim World Book Review (academic journal), New Muslims Project (conversion support), Research Department (academic research and policy), Interfaith Relations programme, Education & Courses (Arabic language and other programmes), ILM Courses (online learning platform), Endowment (Waqf) fund management, and the Markfield ilm Hub (facility development project). The Markfield ilm Hub represents a modern retreat development to expand conference and educational facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Markfield Mosque A mosque facility with prayer hall accommodating approximately 200 people. Provides facilities for both men and women, with Jummah prayers held weekly (Khutbah at 1:20pm, Salah at 1:40pm).
• Markfield Conference Centre A self-contained residential conference and retreat facility offering venue hire for conferences, seminars, training programmes, and social events. Features conference hall (150 capacity), four meeting rooms, 44 single rooms in two residential blocks, dining room (80 capacity), prayer hall, recreational facilities, and onsite bookshop. Subsidised rates are offered for community organisations.
• Markfield Maktab (Sunday Islamic School) A Sunday Islamic school operating 10:00 am to 02:00 pm teaching Islamic Studies (An Nasiha curriculum), Qaida/Quran (Safar Publications Tajweed curriculum), Arabic Language (Madina Arabic curriculum), and Memorisation. Four age-based classes: Al-Aqsa Kids (5-7), Al-Madinah Girls (8-13), Al-Madinah Boys (8-11), and Makkah Boys (12-15). Tiered monthly tuition: £40 for first child, reduced for siblings.
• Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MIHE) An innovative centre of Islamic learning and research offering BA/MA degrees, postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in areas including Islamic Thought, Gender and Feminism, Islamic Management Economics and Banking, Islam and the West, Islam and Pluralism, Management of Islamic Centres, and Chaplaincy Training. Degrees awarded by Newman University. Has awarded 700+ MAs and 300+ Chaplaincy Certificates, and trained 10,000+ public service staff including FCO staff.
• Islamic Library One of the largest Islamic libraries in Europe with over 40,000 books and journals. Used by researchers and academics from all over the world.
• Publications (Kube Publishing) Published over 400 titles covering Qur'an, Tafsir, Sirah, Islamic Economics, Community, and Children's books. International publications acclaimed for academic standard, relevance, and authenticity, with over 50 titles for children. Publishing and distribution managed by Kube Publishing Ltd.
• The Muslim World Book Review A quarterly publication presenting the Muslim viewpoint on books and issues concerning Islam and Muslims. Provides detailed critical reviews, brief introductions, and select bibliographies on recent and contemporary publications.
• New Muslims Project Pioneered essential education and support services for new Muslims since 1993. Provides weekly and fortnightly residential Qur'anic Arabic and Islamic Studies courses, publishes quarterly newsletter 'Meeting Point', organises Hajj and Umrah trips, and offers advice, support, counselling, and telephone/online assistance. Around 100 new Muslims participate annually.
• Interfaith Relations Programme Engages in dialogue with other cultures and religions to develop better understanding and relations. Contributes to various local, national, and international interfaith bodies. Publishes bi-annual journal 'Encounters' on inter-cultural perspectives.
• Education & Courses (Arabic Language Programme) Offers Arabic Language Programme with 4 levels (10 weeks each, £89 per level) teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Also provides various educational programmes and training courses for youth and Imams. Books required (6 books) at £36 for full set.
• Endowment (Waqf) Fund Islamic endowment fund supporting educational projects and providing scholarships. Over £2 million of support generated and awarded for needy students. Achieves average 7.5% return on portfolio. Waqf income meets 25% of Foundation's current budget.
• ILM Courses (Online Learning Platform) Online learning platform transferring the Islamic Foundation's content including classical works, contemporary Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, biographies, Islamic Economics textbooks, and children's literature onto a digital platform. Provides bitesize and mostly free transformational Islamic knowledge.
• Research Department Works with researchers and scholars in areas including traditional Islamic scholars, providing guidance on Islam and Muslims in the modern world through publishing books and reports, conducting surveys, and organising seminars. Publishes journals including Review of Islamic Economics, manages Professor Khurshid Ahmad Memorial Lecture, and produces research on Muslims in Britain, Islamic Economics, Interfaith Relations, Muslim Family, Mosques, Islam in Europe, and Fiqh development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ MA degrees awarded through MIHE
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of Technology Mara (UiTM), MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2023Delegation from Division of Zakat, Alm and Waqf (ZAWAF) visited to discuss prospects and models for implementing Waqf model for sustainability of community institutions, particularly higher education.
• Kube Publishing LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKube Publishing Ltd manages the Islamic Foundation's publishing and distribution operations. They handle the sale and distribution of over 400 titles including Qur'an, Tafsir, Hadith, Islamic Economics, and children's books through their website and retail channels.
• Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MIHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhile MIHE is now an independent higher education institution regulated by QAA and supported by HEFCE, the Foundation continues to support and collaborate with MIHE in research and educational programmes. Degrees are awarded by Newman University.
• Newman UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDegrees from Markfield Institute of Higher Education are awarded by Newman University, providing academic accreditation for the foundation's educational programmes.
• Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)coreOthersThe Markfield Institute of Higher Education is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency, ensuring academic standards for degree programmes.
• Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)coreOthersMIHE is supported by HEFCE for funding and regulatory purposes.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ebrahim College: London-based Islamic higher education institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Islamic studies. Closely comparable to MIHE in offering accredited UK degrees with Islamic specialisations and serving a similar UK Muslim student segment.
• Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education: Scotland-based higher education institution offering postgraduate degrees in Islamic studies and related fields. Comparable as a UK institution delivering accredited Islamic higher education and serving similar scholarly and chaplaincy student segments.
• Cambridge Muslim College: UK-based Islamic higher education institution offering postgraduate degrees and chaplaincy training. Directly comparable to the Islamic Foundation's MIHE programme in mission, accreditation model, and target students (Islamic scholars, chaplains, imams).
• International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT): US-based Islamic research and publishing organisation producing scholarly works on Islamic thought, education, and economics. Closely comparable in combining Islamic research, English-language publishing (book series, journals), and educational programme development.
• Muslim Academic Trust: UK-based Islamic publishing and education charity producing English-language Islamic literature and supporting Islamic studies. Comparable in combining publishing output, educational programmes, and community-facing Islamic scholarship in the UK.
• Al-Salam Institute: UK-based Islamic education charity offering courses, seminars, and community programmes. Comparable as a UK charity delivering Islamic education across multiple formats to similar Muslim community segments.

Broad incumbents

• Muslim World League: Large international Islamic NGO based in Saudi Arabia operating across education, publishing, research, and interfaith dialogue globally. Comparable as a broad-scope Islamic institution covering similar activity areas (publishing, research, education, interfaith) but at a much larger international scale.
• Islamic Relief Worldwide: UK-headquartered large Islamic humanitarian and development charity. Comparable as a UK-based Islamic charity dependent on Muslim community donations, but operates at substantially larger scale in humanitarian rather than education/research verticals.

Emerging players

• Sapience Institute: US-based Islamic education non-profit producing online courses, lectures, and educational content. Comparable in delivering structured Islamic education via digital platforms and competing for the same English-speaking Muslim learner audience as ILM Courses.

Regional players

• International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM): Malaysia-based international Islamic university offering comprehensive programmes including Islamic economics and banking. Comparable through the foundation's MIHE Islamic Management Economics and Banking programmes and UiTM consultation; not a UK direct competitor but a regional peer in Islamic higher education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/islamic-foundation-uk

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Islamic Foundation UK