95–100% | |
90–95% | |
50–70% | |
30–35% | |
10–20% | |
5–10% | |
4–5% | |
2–4% | |
1–2% | |
< 1% |
Estonia has a small, but growing Islamic community. According to 2024 estimates, the number of people in Estonia who professIslam was 10,000 or 0.73% of the total population. The number of practicing Muslims is small and, in the absence of amosque, theEstonian Islamic Centre serves as a center of worship.
According to a 2008 estimate, there were approximately 4,000 Muslims living in Estonia.[2] The largest Muslim groups in Estonia consist of Tatars (ofMishar origin) andAzeris. 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.[3] Most Estonian Muslims live in or aroundTallinn.[2] As of 2024 there were reported to be 10,000 Muslims in Estonia.[4]
Coins from the Islamic world minted as early as the 8th century have been discovered in Estonia, which were brought to the area byViking merchants.[5]
The earliest documented presence of Muslims in Estonia occurred when Muslim soldiers from theRussian Empire arrived in Estonia during theLivonian War in the 16th century.[3] The first Muslims to settle in Estonia were mostlySunniTatars who had been released from themilitary service in theRussian Army after Estonia andLivonia had been conquered by theRussian Empire in 1721.[3] The small Tatar community became concentrated within Tallinn and by the mid-19th century, had established a mosque with a servingimam.[6]
After 1860, a new wave of Tatar immigrants arrived in Estonia as merchants.[6] The Tatar community started showing activity, the centre being in the city ofNarva although some also settled in Tallinn andTartu. The Tatar community opened shops and engaged in trade.[6] A Muslim congregation (Narva Muhamedi Kogudus) was registered there under the independentRepublic of Estonia in 1928 and a second one (Tallinna Muhamedi Usuühing) inTallinn in 1939.[3][6] A house built for funds received as donations was converted into a mosque inNarva.[citation needed]
According to the 1934 census, there were 170 Muslims in Estonia, of whom 166 were Tartars.[7]
In 1940, the Soviet authorities banned both congregations, and the buildings of the congregations were destroyed duringWorld War II (in 1944). The overwhelming majority of Muslims immigrated to Estonia during theSoviet occupation of Estonia between 1940 and 1991.
The Muslim community in Estonia is considered tolerant and politically moderate. Unusually in the global context, theSunnis andShias worship jointly.[8]
