Estonia has one of the smallest
Muslim communities in Europe. According to the
census of 2011, the number of people who profess
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
was 1,508 in Estonia, or 0.14% of the total population. The number of practicing Muslims is small and, in the absence of a
mosque, the
Estonian Islamic Center serves as a center of worship.
Demography
According to a 2008 estimate, there are approximately 4,000 Muslims living in Estonia.
The largest Muslim groups in Estonia consist of Tatars (of
Mishar origin) and
Azeris. There are also smaller amounts of Muslims belonging to various regional and ethnic backgrounds (including converts to Islam). The majority of Muslims in Estonia are Sunni except for the Azeris, who are Shia.
Most Estonian Muslims live in or around
Tallinn.
As of 2024 there were reported to be 10,000 Muslims in Estonia.
History
Coins from the Islamic world minted as early as the 8th century have been discovered in Estonia, which were brought to the area by
Viking merchants.
The earliest documented presence of Muslims in Estonia occurred when Muslim soldiers from the
Russian Empire arrived in Estonia during the
Livonian War in the 16th century.
The first Muslims to settle in Estonia were mostly
Sunni
Sunni Islam () is the largest branch of Islam, followed by 85–90% of the world's Muslims. Its name comes from the word '' Sunnah'', referring to the tradition of Muhammad. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims arose from a disagr ...
Tatars who had been released from the
military service in the
Russian Army
The Russian Ground Forces (russian: Сухопутные войска В Sukhoputnyye voyska V, also known as the Russian Army (, ), are the Army, land forces of the Russian Armed Forces.
The primary responsibilities of the Russian Gro ...
after
Estonia and
Livonia had been conquered by the
Russian Empire in 1721.
The small Tatar community became concentrated within Tallinn and by the mid-19th century, had established a mosque with a serving
imam
Imam (; ar, إمام '; plural: ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a worship leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Islamic worship services, lead prayers, ser ...
.
After 1860, a new wave of Tatar immigrants arrived in Estonia as merchants.
The Tatar community started showing activity, the centre being in the city of
Narva
Narva, russian: Нарва is a municipality and city in Estonia. It is located in Ida-Viru County, Ida-Viru county, at the Extreme points of Estonia, eastern extreme point of Estonia, on the west bank of the Narva (river), Narva river which ...
although some also settled in Tallinn and
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia after the Northern European country's political and financial capital, Tallinn. Tartu has a population of 91,407 (as of 2021). It is southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of ...
. The Tatar community opened shops and engaged in trade.
A Muslim congregation (Narva Muhamedi Kogudus) was registered there under the independent
Republic of Estonia
A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...
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
Narva, russian: Нарва is a municipality and city in Estonia. It is located in Ida-Viru County, Ida-Viru county, at the Extreme points of Estonia, eastern extreme point of Estonia, on the west bank of the Narva (river), Narva river which ...
.
In 1940, the Soviet authorities banned both congregations, and the buildings of the congregations were destroyed during
World War II (in 1944). The overwhelming majority of Muslims immigrated to Estonia during the
Soviet occupation of Estonia between 1940 and 1991.
The Muslim community in Estonia is considered tolerant and politically moderate. Unusually in the global context, the
Sunni
Sunni Islam () is the largest branch of Islam, followed by 85–90% of the world's Muslims. Its name comes from the word '' Sunnah'', referring to the tradition of Muhammad. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims arose from a disagr ...
s and
Shias worship jointly.
Islam in Estonia.
Mosque
* Estonian Islamic Center
Gallery
File:DirhamsEstonia.jpg, Islamic Golden Age coins found in Estonia.
References
External links
Mis on Islam
Webmagazine about Middle-East and islam ISLAM.EE
Halal food in Estonia
{{Islam in Europe