9:29am Tuesday 8th April 2008
By Asian Image reporter
It is only three hours away by ferry but a world away from what many Asians are used to.
Visitors to the Isle of Man will be surprised to learn that the small island has a Muslim community.
"The first time people come here they are shocked and surprised when they see us."
Known to the locals as the Manx Muslims the community first settled on the Island back in the seventies.
The Island total population just over 80,000 and it is known as a 'so-called' low tax economy with no capital gains tax, wealth tax, stamp duty or inheritance tax so it tends to attract a lot of the financially well-off.
It was Hassan Patel's father, Haroon Patel and uncle Abdul Ghani who decided to move from Preston to the Island to seek a new life.
"Alongside my late elder brother Iqbal they were the first Asians to live on the Isle of Man over 30 years ago.
"Many of the things we take for granted like halal food and mosques were non-existant. He set the first mosque up in 1983.... a small room and the attendance was three.
"For them it was like setting foot in a new country which ever way you looked at it."
With more and more of the community moving to the Isle, on Eid day the mosque can attract anywhere up to 150 people. The island now has its own Muslim burial ground.
"As our children are growing up here we are now looking for an Imam (religious teacher)."
"Things have changed over the years but the overriding difference here is that we take it upon ourselves to educate the host community about our religion and cultures.
"I sense this is a trait many of those on the mainland have lost."
Hassan runs the Chillies Restaurant in Douglas.
"We hold an Eid party and then a week later we will hold another Eid party where we invite the whole community to attend.
"My restaurant also hosts a number of charity nights. It is all about giving something back to the community you live in without asking for anything in return."
"My wife Hajra regularly goes on school visits to tell people about what ramadhan is about.
"We find it our duty to tell people what Islam is really about. And it comes through our actions. I think many on the mainland have become insular over the years. I feel they have become accustomed to getting things their own way and don't want to reach out as much.
"When you have to work for just small things in life you tend to appreciate them more."
There have been racist incidents on occasions but these Hassan says have been conducted by people from outside the island.
"There have been the odd occcasions where racist graffiti has been daubed on our premises but these are people who have come from the mainland.
"It is nice to go back to the mainland every so often but whenever I come to the Preston I don't see that as my home anymore.
"For us it was different. We saw Preston as our home at the beginning but my kids are born and bought up and do not see it that way.
"I get asked 'How on earth did you end up on the Isle of Man and I see it is all down to fate. My father sold up and moved on but then I came back. It was like a big return..maybe we were just drawn to this beautiful place."
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