The mother of the Cardiff Yemenis
A historic British Muslim love story that helped shape the future of the Welsh Muslim community.
When you think of British Muslim love stories, your mind doesn't immediately jump to pre-World War II Britain. Many of the British public are
unaware that Muslim communities existed in the United Kingdom during this period. So, how did we end up with a Muslim love story from
this era?
Wales has had a long-standing connection with Islam, which stemmed from a number of merchants and naval personnel settling in its port
cities. The country is home to some of the oldest established Muslim communities in Britain, with some settling as early as the 1800s. Those
who settled in the Welsh port towns were mainly Yemenis, Somalis, and people from British Empire India, with Butetown in Cardiff becoming
a popular area.
The Muslim love story highlighted in this blog follows the life of Yemeni Ali Salaman, a former British garrison worker in the Camel Corps,
and Olive Salaman, a girl from Tredegar in the Rhymney Valley.
How They Met
Olive was 15 years old when she moved from her small town to Cardiff to train as a nurse, and it was in this city that she would meet her
future spouse. Ali, who had lived in an orphanage until the age of 9, walked 400 kilometres from his home in Zabid on the Red Sea coastal
plain of Tihama to the port of Aden. After surviving in the Camel Corps, he worked making Halwa, a sweet tahini Middle Eastern dessert. At
the age of 18, he boarded a boat to France and later another boat to Cardiff.
It was one afternoon when the couple met by chance. Olive was at the cinema that day, and while making her way home, she got lost. She
stopped one young gentleman walking in the street to ask for directions, who turned out to be Ali. Olive said it was love at first sight, and the
couple married three weeks later.
Olive converted to Islam after their marriage, despite the dismay from her family and church, who labelled Ali a heathen. Despite their initial
judgments of her new husband, the family eventually embraced Ali and his religion.
Building a Family and Bridging Traditions
As the years passed, Olive and Ali’s family grew, and they raised their 10 children — five girls and five boys — in a household where both
Welsh and Yemeni traditions were celebrated.
Olive, often affectionately referred to as "The Mother of the Cardiff Yemenis," is remembered as a figure who nurtured the growth of the local
Muslim community, offering support, kindness, and love to all who crossed her path. Ali, too, became a beloved figure in the community, with
many recalling his generosity, his humour, and his unwavering commitment to his faith and family.
In Cardiff today, the influence of this remarkable love story endures. The city's Muslim population, which has grown and flourished over the
decades, owes much to the example set by Olive and Ali. Their story serves as a reminder that, even in the face of adversity, love and
understanding can create lasting change, shaping the future of entire communities for generations to come.
A Legacy of Love and Unity
