Islam in Iceland is a very small but officially recognized religious minority.
History of Islam in Iceland
Early Contact:
- There is no evidence of medieval Islamic contact with Iceland during the Viking or early Christian periods.
- Islam arrived only in modern times, mainly through immigration and conversions in the late 20th century.
Growth of the Muslim Community:
The first organized Muslim community appeared in the 1970s–1980s, with immigrants from countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan. Since then, the number of Muslims has grown slowly through immigration and some Icelandic converts.
Current Islamic Presence:
Population:
The Muslim population is estimated at around 1,000 to 1,500 people (about 0.3% of Iceland’s total population of 380,000).
Muslims in Iceland include:
- Immigrants from North Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, and South Asia.
- A small but growing number of Icelandic converts.
Mosques & Islamic Organizations:
There is no large purpose-built mosque yet, but Muslims gather at Islamic Cultural Centers and prayer rooms.
The main organizations include:
- Félag Múslima á Íslandi (Muslim Association of Iceland), founded in 1997.
- Icelandic Muslim Cultural Centre, which organizes prayers and community events.
- Plans for building the first purpose-built mosque in Reykjavík were approved in 2013, but construction has faced delays.
Halal Food & Services:
- Halal food is limited but available in some ethnic stores and restaurants in Reykjavík.
- Muslim tourists and residents can request halal meals in some international hotels.
Legal Recognition:
Islam is a recognized religion under Icelandic law, with the right to state support and the freedom to build mosques and practice openly.
Challenges & Society:
- Iceland is a secular and tolerant society, but the Muslim community is very small.
- There have been occasional public debates about Islam and mosque construction, but no significant incidents of Islamophobia or discrimination have been widely reported.
- Interfaith dialogue is promoted, and Muslims in Iceland generally live peacefully.
Summary:
Islam in Iceland is a tiny but officially recognized minority, made up of immigrants and a few local converts. While Muslims lack a large mosque, they maintain prayer spaces and community life, with growing awareness and acceptance in Icelandic society.
Iceland
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .is
Country Code: +354