The Somali Community in the UK
The British-Somali community is estimated at over 200,000 people, making it one of the largest Somali populations outside of East Africa. Somalis have been part of British life for over a century, from the early sailors who settled in port cities like Cardiff and Liverpool, to the larger waves of migration in the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, British Somalis are a vibrant, growing community. Young professionals, university students, entrepreneurs, and families are building lives across the country while maintaining strong connections to their faith, culture, and identity. But when it comes to guur-doon, seeking marriage, the challenges of diaspora life are real.
Where Somalis Live Across the UK
London
Tower Hamlets, Ealing, Camden, Brent, Southall, the largest Somali population in the UK
Birmingham
Small Heath, Sparkbrook, Aston, a thriving Midlands community
Bristol
St Pauls, Easton, Lawrence Hill, one of the oldest Somali communities in the UK
Manchester
Moss Side, Rusholme, Cheetham Hill, a growing northern hub
Leicester
A well-established community with strong institutions
Sheffield
Burngreave, Page Hall, a close-knit community
Cardiff
Butetown, Grangetown, Somalis have been here since the 1800s
Liverpool
Toxteth, Granby, one of the earliest Somali settlements in the UK
Guur-Doon Challenges in the UK
Despite having a large community, Somalis in the UK face specific challenges when seeking marriage:
- Scattered communities: Somalis are spread across dozens of cities, making local matchmaking harder
- Generational gaps: First-generation parents and British-born children sometimes have different expectations about how marriage should work
- Professional demands: Young Somali professionals in cities like London often have busy careers that leave little time for traditional guur-doon
- Cultural balance: Navigating between British social norms and Somali marriage traditions
- Qabiil considerations: Clan dynamics that can complicate the search
Sahan addresses these challenges by connecting Somalis across the entire UK, and beyond, in a way that respects Islamic values and cultural traditions. Whether you're in London looking for someone in Birmingham, or in Manchester hoping to connect with someone in Bristol, Sahan makes it possible.
Why UK Somalis Choose Sahan
UK Community
Strong user base across London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, and beyond.
Verified Profiles
Every profile is verified with identity checks. No catfishing, no fake accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Somali marriage app in the UK?
Yes. Sahan is the first marriage app built specifically for Somali Muslims, with a strong community of verified users across the UK: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leicester, Sheffield, Cardiff, and more.
How do Somalis in the UK find a spouse?
Through family networks, community introductions, masjid connections, and dedicated platforms like Sahan. The traditional guur-doon process is alive in the UK but has adapted to diaspora life.
Where are the biggest Somali communities in the UK?
London (Tower Hamlets, Ealing, Camden, Brent), Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leicester, Sheffield, Cardiff, and Liverpool.
Find Your Spouse in the UK with Sahan
Download the Somali marriage app trusted by British Somalis from London to Liverpool.