LONDON – Observing the British Black History Month in October, many UK Muslims have been celebrating this month to showcase their culture as a vital ingredient in the British society.

“It’s important for people of different faiths and ethnic groups to acknowledge and be involved in BHM,” Zainab Dahir, a Muslim Somali novelist from London, told Al Arabiya News on Friday, October 10.

Dahir’s family has been celebrating the Black History Month for years, deeming it an opportunity to reflect the culture of the British Muslim community.

Black History Month (BHM) is celebrated in America and Canada in February each year. The UK has been celebrating it in October since 1987.

The aim is to recognize the important role Blacks have played around the world, and honoring the likes of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King.

“We do it because as British Muslim Somali people, we’ve been in the UK for a long time and it’s natural for us,” said Ayan Mahamoud, managing director of the Kayd Organization.

“We’re part of the black struggle in the UK.”

Aiming to promote the Somali culture in Britain, Mahamoud’s Kayd Organization hosts a week-long Somali festival during BHM.

“All those discriminations faced by black people, Muslims are now facing,” Mahamoud said.

The BHM coincided this year with Muslims’ celebration `Eid Al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice”, one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, together with `Eid Al-Fitr.

“I celebrate `Eid with my Muslim family and embrace BHM and all that it entails,” said Dahir.

According to Black History Month magazine spokesperson, many Muslims will not celebrate the month as they are not black, feeling disconnected.

“Some British Muslims and Asians will celebrate black history but because many don’t consider themselves black, they don’t think it right to celebrate or acknowledge the event,” the spokesperson said.

“It can be difficult to engage different communities within BHM events but we believe an increase in participation can be reached.”

Britain is home to a Muslim community of nearly 2.7 million.

In 2011, think tank Demo found that Muslims in the United Kingdom are more patriotic than the rest of population.

Responding to the statement “I am proud to be a British citizen”, 83% of Muslims said they are proud of being British.