London’s Islamic Center, Most Active Shia Center.

Speaking in the scientific gathering of “Role and Impact of Shia Authority in the West”, Professor Oliver Scharbrodt from Birmingham University of London stated, “Authority has formed its world gesture trough immigration of Shia immigrants to London”. This gathering had been arranged by cooperation of al-Mustafa International University and Astan Quds Razavi’s Islamic Researches Foundation. Participated by a group of researchers, the meeting was held in Sheikh Tousi auditorium of Astan Quds Razavi’s Islamic Researches Foundation. 
He stated, “These researches are focused on three areas of presence of main Shia organizations in London, Shia authority, and the kind of relationship between authority and the young people in London”.  
Noting that large numbers of Shia people are living in northwestern parts of London, Professor of Birmingham University stressed, “There are twenty Husseiniyahs in a neighborhood of London which are comprised of various ethnic and nationality groups such as Pakistanis and Iranians. Also, offices of various prominent Shia Ayatollahs can be found in this city”.
He added, “House of some great and well known Ayatollahs such as Ayatollah Sistani and Khoei are in this neighborhood. Also, three private schools special for Shia and two colleges working on Islamic texts can also be found in this city”. He also said, “Most of these centers are handled by the Iraqi Shias”. 
Professor Oliver Scharbrodt continued, “Iraqis came to London after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and London’s Shia centers were established after the Iraqi Entefazeh. The first religious activity in London was done by Iranian Shia Muslims during 1960s and 1970s and different religious gatherings were started in this city. Performing various religious programs and ceremonies in Persian and Arabic are some main activities done in this center”. 
He added, “The second important center in London is Ayatollah Khoei center which was founded in 1989 following Iraqi Entefazeh. Although he was living in Najaf, his office and administrative apparatus was transferred to London. This office is considered as a transnational and trans local building in London”.
“At the moment, this center is managing charity and schools’ affairs in all over the world. This building in Britain has changed into the main representative center in society. This center enjoys good relations with the British government and when the media wants to get some information on Shia they come to this center”, the researcher reiterated.
He went on to say, “Islamic center of London is another center of this kind in London. This center is one of the most active centers in London which deals with different aspects of Shia society”. 
Professor Olivr Scharbrodt added, “The mentioned center offers its programs on four languages of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, and English. The center is active in the area of Shia congresses and gatherings and its main focus is to concentrate on those who have newly converted to Shia Islam”. 
He continued, “There are also two other centers belonging to Ayatollah Sistani. These two centers are known as center of the household of the Apostle of God (S.A.W.) which conducts devotional and religious ceremonies. This center connects the relations between Shia and the Authority.