The Islamic Society at the University of Essex is a primarily student-run society whose vision is to inspire and enable Muslim students to live by Islam.  It was first established in 1985 to provide an international platform to support Muslim students, inform others about Islam and provide a forum for the discussion of a variety of issues related to Islam and Muslims. It is estimated now that the Islamic Society accommodates about 500 members including members of staff, students and local Muslim community who belong to a diversity of ethnic backgrounds.