Sheltering a Community’s Soul: The Fight to Save London Islamic bookshop
As London's oldest independent Islamic bookshop confronts a modern-day fight for survival, its patrons remember the welcoming space that shaped their identity and fear the silence its closure would bring.
Founded in 1985 by Egyptian publisher Samir el-Atar, Dar al-Taqwa became a cultural point of reference for generations of British Muslims. Scholars, students, and converts have long gathered there to browse and exchange ideas. For many, it has been a welcoming space for reflection and dialogue.
After Samir’s death in 2022, his widow Noora el-Atar, a 69-year-old convert from Leeds, took over the business. She now runs it with three part-time staff. “The bookshop started organically, with no loans. Everything came from the community,” she said. “Islam is very wide – that’s why we want the bookshop to be the same.”
When Dar al-Taqwa opened, accessible Islamic resources in the UK were limited. The couple chose Baker Street for its proximity to London Central Mosque and its popularity among visiting Arab families. They established the shop without loans, in line with Islamic teachings that forbid interest, relying instead on savings and community support.
The shop is known for its non-sectarian collection, covering a broad range of subjects from theology and culture to children’s literature and translations of the Qur’an. Noora describes the atmosphere as familial. “We are a family here, we keep customers, and they become one of us, as staff.” she says.
Some of its shelves hold rare or out-of-print titles. Among the contributors is Hamza Yusuf, a figure often viewed as controversial within some Muslim circles. Academic publishers including Routledge and Macmillan are also represented. The shop has hosted readings, lectures, and book discussions, and occasionally serves as a venue for small community gatherings.
Over the years, Dar al-Taqwa has drawn visitors including Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Gai Eaton, and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan. Its reputation extends far beyond the UK.
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Like many independent retailers, Dar al-Taqwa has been affected by the growth of online shopping and increasing rental costs. To continue operating, the store has launched a £25,000 fundraiser to help with rent and running expenses.
Noora says she remains committed to keeping the store open for as long as possible. “He was very ambitious, my husband. He worked very, very hard,” she told The Guardian.
For her, maintaining the business is not only a tribute to his work, but also to the sense of community that has surrounded Dar al-Taqwa since its founding.
Whether the fundraiser will be enough to secure its future remains uncertain. For those who have passed through its doors, however, the bookshop has already left a lasting mark on London’s cultural and religious landscape.
Source: 5pillarsuk.com
