Lancaster student goes viral on TikTok and Instagram for research into the Qur’an

A Christian Lancaster University student has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram for his research into the Qur’an and Islamic history.

Wilf Lovatt, a third year law student, bought the Islamic holy text in January and shared his plans to study it alongside other religious texts, whist documenting his progress on social media.

His first two Instagram Reels of him introducing his project and reading a surah (chapter) of the Qur’an quickly gained 3.5 million views.

These videos also gained him 60,000 followers on Instagram soon after they were posted, Wilf told The Lancaster Tab.

Now, his Instagram has 159,000 followers, while his TikTok is followed by around 202,500 people.

Wilf’s content features his readings of the Qur’an, surah by surah, and his research has also led to him travelling around the UK to meet Muslim communities. He’s received tours of local mosques in Preston, Newcastle, Manchester and Sunderland, and he attends community events across England.

Wilf is a practicing Christian and prays daily. He said on his TikTok that after “becoming exposed to different faiths” as he grew up, he wanted to “hear more” about each religion, and so he began his documented research into Islam.

“As someone who’s currently studying law and has a great interest in the different political landscapes around the world,” he added. “I feel like having an in depth or even just basic understanding of major religions around the world can be highly beneficial.”

His interactions with Muslim communities have extended to Lancaster’s campus. Last Ramadan, Wilf fasted for 15 days and documented this process on his social media, before going to the university prayer rooms to talk to Muslim students and observe the evening and nighttime prayers.

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During Ramadan, Wilf says he gained another 60,000 followers from documenting his fasting journey.

The law student told Hyphen his research has impacted his day-to-day life in a number of ways, most significantly in his drinking habits.

“Drinking is a big part of English culture, especially among people of my age, but I’m not really a fan,” he said.

”Now, after interacting with people who abstain from not just alcohol but other substances too, I don’t think I’ll feel bad about not drinking.”

Wilf added that after getting halfway through the Qur’an, he thinks his full research into Islam could take up to two years.

He plans to extend his travels outside of the UK as well, and hopes to visit Muslim countries in the Middle East and South Asia.

Featured images via @wilflovatt on TikTok