Islam in Slovakia

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The number of muslims in Slovakia according to the 2001 census is negligible (according to ??^{[citation needed]} there are 5000 muslims in Slovakia - less than 0.1% of the country´s population). In the 17th century a small part of central southern Slovakia was occupied by Ottoman Turks for some time after Turkish settlements were established for example in Novohrad region, other regions of Slovakia were subjects to permanent Turkish raids and pillaging.

[edit] History

Long after the Turkish conquest of Hungary and the final collapse of the Ottoman Empire a negative image of Muslims persists in the Region. Picture from a Hungarian book, early 20th century.

In the Middle Ages, at least three times Pechenegs and Cumans within the Hungarian forces helped Hungarian kings to defend the territory of the northern Kingdom of Hungary (now Slovakia) against Czech invasions (1260 Ottokar Premysl, 1300-05 Venceslaus and 1427-34 the Hussites)^{[citation needed]}. It is not sure however whether the Pechenegs and Cumans were Muslims.

Decades after the Hungarian defeat of Mohacs (1526) Turkish troops occupied Štúrovo (Párkány) and other parts of today´s southern central Slovakia and encouraged the protestant Christian groups while Habsburg Austrian troops occupied and recatholized the northern and western parts. Later on the Turks seized some further territories in southern central Slovakia and pillaged in territories up to Nitra. Finally, however, when the Turks lost the Battle of Vienna and the Ottoman vassal Imre Thököly was defeated in Slovakia, between 1687 and 1699 Turkish Ottoman rule in Hungary was finally broken.

[edit] Muslim demographics

Most of the Muslims in Slovakia are refugees from former Yugoslavia (Bosnians and Albanians) or workers from modern Turkey (Turks and Kurds), beside them a few Arab students. Most of the Muslims live in the capital Bratislava, smaller communities also exist in Košice and Martin^{[citation needed]}. A few of the immigrants became Slovak citizen and additionally 150 Slovaks converted to Islam since the end of Communism (1990) and the independence (1993).

There are currently four mosques in Slovakia. In 2000, a dispute erupted about the building of an Islamic centre in Bratislava: the capital's mayor refused such attempts of the Slovak Islamic Waqfs Foundation^{[citation needed]}. Mohamad Safwan Hasan, the leader of the foundation, is married with a converted wife.

The Slovak engagement to support the USA in its war against terrorism and insurgents in Iraq is perceived by the Imam Mohamad Safwan Hasan of the Islamic Waqfs Foundation as neutral, but offensive to some, "It's hard to judge, because I don't know the opinions of all. I don't think they were thrilled by this attitude."

[edit] See also

• Islam in the Czech Republic
• Islam in Hungary

[edit] External links

• Slovak Muslims fight for image
• Muslims in Slovakia work for positive integration
• Protestants and Muslims without legal status