The Blue plaque scheme was proposed by William Ewart MP in 1863. This was then taken on by the Society of Arts (later the Royal Society of Arts) who installed two plaques in 1867, of which only one survives today (Napoleon III on King Street, Westminster).

This scheme has since been managed by different organisations and has been expanded to include buildings of historical interest and a wider range of people to be recognised.

Since 1986 it has been taken over by English Heritage and there are now over 900 plaques across London.

There are not many plaques that commemorate Muslims, but a few that are connected to Islam or Muslims.