Georgia

Islam in Georgia (the country in the South Caucasus) is the second-largest religion after Orthodox Christianity and has deep historical roots.

1. Population & Demographics
Muslims make up around 10–13% of Georgia’s total population (roughly 400,000–500,000 people). The majority of Georgian Muslims belong to two ethnic groups:

  • Azerbaijanis (the largest Muslim group, mainly in the Kvemo Kartli region near the Azerbaijan border),

Adjarians (ethnic Georgians living in the southwestern region of Adjara near Turkey),

  • Small numbers of Chechens (Kists) in the Pankisi Gorge,
  • A few Abkhaz and other minorities.

2. Branches of Islam

  • Most Muslims in Georgia follow Sunni Islam (Hanafi school), especially among Azerbaijanis and Adjarians.
  • There is also a small Shia Muslim community, mostly among Azerbaijanis in the east.
  • Some Sufi traditions exist among the Kists and other North Caucasian groups.

3. History of Islam in Georgia

  • Islam arrived in Georgia during the Arab conquests (7th–8th centuries) and became more established under the Ottoman Empire in western Georgia (Adjara) and Persian influence in the east.
  • The Ottomans converted many Adjarians to Islam between the 16th and 19th centuries.
  • During the Soviet period, religious practices were heavily suppressed, including Islam.
  • Since Georgia’s independence in 1991, Islam has experienced a revival, with new mosques and religious schools opening.

4. Mosques & Islamic Institutions

  • There are about 200 mosques in Georgia.
  • The largest and most famous is the Juma Mosque in Tbilisi, which uniquely serves both Sunni and Shia worshippers.
  • Islamic theological education is limited within Georgia, with some students going abroad (e.g., to Turkey, Iran, or Azerbaijan) for religious studies.

5. Islam in Public Life

  • Georgia is officially a secular state with freedom of religion guaranteed by law.
  • Islamic holidays (such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) are celebrated by Muslims but are not public holidays.
  • The State Agency for Religious Issues manages Muslim affairs along with other religious communities.

6. Challenges

  • Muslims sometimes report discrimination, especially regarding mosque construction permits (such as the long-standing issue over building a new mosque in Batumi).
  • There are also occasional interethnic and interreligious tensions, especially in regions where Muslim and Christian populations live side by side.
  • Radicalization concerns have been raised about a few young Muslims from the Pankisi Gorge joining conflicts abroad (such as in Syria), but the vast majority of Georgian Muslims are peaceful and moderate.

7. Relations with Other Communities

  • Muslim and Christian communities generally live peacefully, but tensions occasionally arise over land, religious buildings, or political issues.
  • Interfaith dialogue efforts exist but are still developing.

Summary:
Islam in Georgia is an ancient and respected faith, with deep cultural and regional roots, especially in Adjara and among the Azerbaijani minority. Despite occasional social and political challenges, Muslims enjoy religious freedom under Georgian law and are a vital part of the country’s diverse social fabric.

Georgia
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .ge
Country Code: +995