Islam in Moldova

Islam in Europe
by percentage of country population[1]
  95–100%
  90–95%
  50–55%
  30–35%
  10–20%
  5–10%
  4–5%
  2–4%
  1–2%
  < 1%

The vast majority of the Moldovan people are Orthodox Christians, but there is a small community of Muslims in Moldova, numbering a few thousand.[2]

In 2005, the Spiritual Organisation of Muslims in Moldova headed by Talgat Masaev was denied registration despite the appeal of the Mission to Moldova of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.[3]

In March 2011, the Islamic League of Moldova (Liga Islamică din Moldova), an NGO representing Moldova's Muslims, was registered by the Moldovan Justice Ministry as the first legally recognized Muslim association in Moldova. It had applied for registration in 2008.[4]

The Moldovan Orthodox Church opposed the recognition of Islam and joined protests with conservative groups.[5]

As of 2011, officially there were just 2,000 Muslims in Moldova. But the Islamic League of Moldova head Sergiu Sochirca said the number was closer to 17,000, though not all of them were registered as Muslims due to suppression of Islam in the past.[6]

  1. ^ "Muslim Population Growth in Europe Pew Research Center". 2024-07-10. Archived from the original on 2024-07-10.
  2. ^ US department of state
  3. ^ Forum 18 Search/Archive
  4. ^ Moldovan Muslim Leader 'Disappointed' By Anti-Islamic Remarks
  5. ^ Conservatives Angered By Moldova's Recognition Of Muslims
  6. ^ "Moldova's Government Considers Revoking its Formal Recognition of Islam". Archived from the original on 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2016-09-12.