Latvia

Islam in Latvia is a very small minority faith—here’s a concise overview:

Historical Roots

  • First Muslims arrived in the 19th century, mainly as Tatar and Turkic soldiers or prisoners of war during the Crimean War and Russo-Turkish war; some remained and formed the first small communities.
  • In 1902, a Muslim congregation was officially recognized, led by Ibrahim Davidof, and a prayer hall was established.

Demographics & Ethnic Makeup

  • Muslim population is estimated between 1,000 and 10,000; Pew estimated ~2,000 in 2009 (<0.1% of the population) kharchoufa.com . Majority are Sunni, with small Ahmadi and possibly Shia-Azeri presence.
  • Diverse ethnic backgrounds include Tatars, Uzbeks, Azeris, Chechens, Arabs, and “Soviet Muslims” from former USSR republics.
  • There are also foreign students from Muslim-majority countries in Riga.
  • Some native Latvian converts have embraced Islam, including notable figures like Imants Kalniņš, who translated the Qur’an into Latvian.

Community Infrastructure

  • Latvia lacks purpose-built mosques; prayer spaces are adapted apartments or shared centers.
  • Riga hosts the Islamic Cultural Centre (Brīvības St.), led by Imam Mamoun Saeed (Sudanese origin), and a separate Riga Muslim Society under Midhat Satdanov connected to Ufa.
  • Around 7–16 registered congregations, with the majority located in Riga; a few in other cities.
  • The community organizes prayer services, weddings, funerals, Qur’an classes, Arabic instruction, and halal meat availability.

Religious Freedom & Societal Attitudes

  • Latvia’s constitution ensures religious freedom, although only eight traditional religions enjoy privileged status; Islam is outside that group.
  • The government monitors Muslim organizations, such as the Cultural Centre, for security reasons.
  • Islamophobia exists, with occasional hate speech; e.g., anti-Muslim graffiti in Riga (2015) and police intervention during unsanctioned outdoor prayers.
  • Classically religious Muslims keep a low profile, partly due to societal caution.
  • Public sentiment is wary of large Muslim communities but generally accepting of small groups, especially if they integrate and learn Latvian.

Recent Developments & Conversion

  • In 2009, Uldis Kalniņš translated the Qur’an into Latvian, highlighting growing local interest.
  • A native Latvian convert, Edijs, shared how challenging it can be to explain Islam in a predominantly Christian/atheist society.

At a Glance

  • Population: ~1,000–10,000 (mainly ~2,000–5,000)
  • Branch: Mostly Sunni (+ small Ahmadi/Shia presence)
  • Ethnic Backgrounds: Tatars, Uzbeks, Azeris, Chechens, Arabs, native Latvians
  • Mosques: Converted spaces in Riga (no official mosques)
  • Activities: Worship services, educational & cultural events, halal meat
  • Societal Climate: Low visibility, occasional Islamophobia, cautious acceptance

Summary
Islam in Latvia remains a very small, ethnically diverse community with its roots dating back to the 19th century. It is marked by modest religious infrastructure, cautious integration, and occasional prejudice. Driven by a mix of immigrants, foreign students, and a handful of Latvian converts, the community provides essential religious and cultural services while maintaining a discrete profile.

Latvia
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .lv
Country Code: +371