Croatia

Islam in Croatia is a small but historically significant minority faith that enjoys official recognition and religious freedom.

1. Population & Demographics

  • Muslims make up about 1.5% of Croatia’s population (roughly 60,000–65,000 people).
  • The majority are Bosniaks (ethnic Muslims from Bosnia), followed by Albanians, Roma, and a small number of Croatian converts.
  • Muslims are mostly concentrated in Zagreb (the capital), Rijeka, and parts of Slavonia.

2. History of Islam in Croatia

  • Islam first arrived in Croatian territory during the Ottoman Empire’s expansion into the Balkans (15th–17th centuries), but most of today’s Muslim community traces its roots to the 20th century.
  • After World War II, many Muslims (especially Bosniaks) moved to Croatia during the Yugoslav era for work and education.
  • After the breakup of Yugoslavia (1990s), Bosnia’s war caused an influx of Bosniak Muslim refugees into Croatia.

3. Mosques & Religious Life

  • Islam is an officially recognized religion in Croatia since 1916, one of the earliest European countries to formally recognize it.
  • The most prominent mosque is the Zagreb Mosque, opened in 1987, which also houses the Islamic Center of Zagreb.
  • A major Islamic Cultural Center with a large mosque was opened in Rijeka in 2013.
  • There are several smaller mosques and prayer spaces in other cities.

4. Social & Cultural Life

  • Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated among the Muslim community but are not public holidays.
  • Halal food is available in some restaurants and markets, mainly in Zagreb and other larger cities.
  • Islamic religious education is available to Muslim students in public schools where there are enough Muslim pupils.
  • Muslims enjoy freedom of worship under Croatian law.

5. Integration & Relations

  • Croatian Muslims are generally well-integrated into society.
  • The relationship between Muslims and the Christian (mostly Catholic) majority is largely peaceful and respectful, although occasional political or social tensions have arisen, usually connected to regional history rather than religion itself.
  • The Islamic Community of Croatia (Islamska Zajednica u Hrvatskoj) represents Muslim interests and is involved in dialogue with other faiths and the state.

6. Challenges

  • As in other parts of Europe, there are occasional incidents of Islamophobia or prejudice, but these are relatively rare.
  • The Muslim community is working to increase its visibility and understanding in broader Croatian society.

Summary:
Islam in Croatia is a small but historically respected minority faith with official status and a high degree of religious freedom. The Muslim population, primarily Bosniak and Albanian, is generally well-integrated and plays an active role in the country’s multicultural life.

Croatia
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .hr
Country Code: +385