Islam in Estonia

In the most recent census, performed in the year 2000, the number of people who reported themselves to be Muslims was 1,387. However some sources claim that the number of Muslims is much higher, with estimates given of 10,000 [ [http://www.ce-review.org/01/3/amber3.html A Mosque with a view] ] or even 20,000 [ [http://www.masnet.org/prof_community.asp?id=687 Muslims in Estonia] , Muslim American Society, November 19, 2003] Muslims.

History

The Muslims are mainly Sunni Tatars and Shia Azeri whose ancestors immigrated to Estonia after the passing of Livonia and Estonia into the Russian Empire in 1721 and who (the overwhelming majority) immigrated during the Soviet period (1940–1991). Since 1860, the Tatar community started showing activity, the centre being in the city of Narva. A Muslim congregation (Narva Muhamedi Kogudus) was registered there under the independent Republic of Estonia in 1928 and a second one (Tallinna Muhamedi Usuühing) in Tallinn in 1939. A house built for funds received as donations was converted into a mosque in Narva. In 1940, the Soviet authorities banned both congregations, and the buildings of the congregations were destroyed during World War II (in 1944).

There is a mosque in Tallinn, where an apartment is adapted for prayer purposes. [ [http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=61759&lang= Prayer Times, Qiblah, Mosques (Masjids), Islamic Centers, Organizations and Muslim Owned Businesses worldwide ] ]

Muslims among various ethnic groups in Estonia

[http://www.worldchristiandatabase.org/ Source]

* Volga Tatars (2,363)
* Azeri (818)
* Uzbek (394)
* Kazakh (233)
* Turkish (43)
* Georgian (25)
* Others (129)

External links

* [http://www.islam.ee islam.ee]
* [http://www.islam.ee/contents.php?cid=203 Overview of Islam in Estonia (in Estonian)]
* [http://www.islam.pri.ee/ Mis on Islam]

References