[1] The group first met in London in October 1978 to bring together what its website describes as "a dynamic band of youth who would respond to the challenges faced by their community with deep faith, true commitment and a positive and comprehensive work plan".

[1] Authors such as Brian Belton and Sadick Hamid describe the group as catering for and run by young people of Bangladeshi origin.

The two groups have minimal differences but the Young Muslim Organisation has a more conservative interpretation of sharia and Islamic jurisprudence.

[2] According to a former activist, Ed Husain, YMO was founded by supporters of Abul A'la Maududi and Hassan al-Banna, and its early members were encouraged to follow their works.

Members were expected to an account of their daily activities (how many hours they spent on prayer, reciting the Quran, reading hadith and other Islamic books, etc.)