Who Are They and Where Do They Come from: Social and Historical Background of Muslims in Bulgaria and in the UK

The focus in this chapter is on the historical, social and economic background of Muslim communities in Bulgaria and the UK. In order to be able to understand the reasons behind Muslim coverage in the media, this part of the study focuses more on the demographic and historical background of Muslim populations in the two countries. Such an overview also helps to outline the significance of the phenomenon presented by the increased Muslim presence in Europe. It also provides the basis for some assumptions of the similarities or differences in the media presentations of the two groups.