WHO WE ARE
our story
What began as a small group of volunteers launched officially as New Beginnings on the 1st of Ramadan 1441 (April 2020), after recognising how many people were coming to Islam with little or no support. We became a registered charity in August 2021 (no. 1195427).
Today, from our base in Oldham, our staff and around 100 volunteers support people exploring Islam, converts and new Muslims across the UK, online and in person. We aim to create welcoming, non-judgemental spaces that nurture a sound and authentic experience of Islam, while respecting each person’s circumstances and preserving their individual and cultural identity.
In April 2024, BBC News featured our work supporting converts through Ramadan: New Muslim reflects on support during first Ramadan.
1,500+
shahadahs facilitated since 2020
1,000+
gift packs sent to new Muslims
5,000+
course registrations
100
volunteers
In 2025 alone, nearly 600 people registered with us to take their shahadah or request a certificate.
what we do
There are 5 areas of support that we focus on:
1. Education. We offer free courses that enable people to gain a better understanding of Islam from authentic sources without cultural interpolation. Students have access to pose any questions to teachers without feeling judged or out of place. We have podcasts and articles that assist in clearing any misconceptions that people may have.
2. Social Connections. We conduct regular social events that are non-judgemental and welcoming for people of all backgrounds including the families of converts to Islam.
3. Wellbeing. We offer 1 to 1 follow-up calls after conversion, someone to talk to through Peer Connect, wellbeing workshops, and referral to a qualified counsellor if more support is needed.
4. Facilitation. We assist those who are ready to convert to Islam but have no or little support. Each individual is given a bespoke gift pack and certificate after conversion.
5. Supporting Organisations. We provide shahadah gift boxes for mosques and community organisations to give to new Muslims, and our Welcoming Newcomers to Islam workshop trains the people who support them.
our mission
& approach
The needs of converts to Islam have been overlooked for decades. The number of people embracing Islam in the UK and abroad is growing, with women making up the majority, yet despite the noble efforts of a few small organisations, those needs are still far from met. We aim to fill that gap through new approaches firmly grounded in the Islamic tradition and the way of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, serving the needs of those new and old to Islam in a holistic way.
meet the people
Sh. Bilal Brown
Co-founder &
Managing Director
Imran Rahim
Co-founder &
Director of Education
Rumela Bandyopadhyay
Co-founder &
Media and Events Manager
Sh. Hasan Shire
Imam and Teacher
Sh. Amin Buxton
Imam and Teacher
Dr. Mumina Begum
Course Teacher
Mohammad Razak
Course Teacher &
Trustee
Tazreen Chowdhry
Qualified Counsellor
Farrah Farooq
Volunteer
Jodie Wozencroft-Reay
Psychotherapist