Islam in Estonia

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Islam by continent

In the most recent census, performed in the year 2000, the number of people in Estonia 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[1] or even 20,000[2]{{not in citation given)) Muslims.

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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 no mosque in Tallinn, an apartment is adapted for prayer purposes.[3]

Muslims among various ethnic groups in Estonia

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