Luxembourg

Islam in Luxembourg is a small but growing religious community, reflecting the country’s increasingly multicultural population.

1. Population & Demographics
Muslims make up approximately 2–3% of Luxembourg’s population (about 15,000–20,000 people). The community includes:

  • Immigrants from the Balkans (especially Bosnia, Kosovo, and Albania)
  • North Africans (Morocco, Tunisia)
  • Middle Easterners (mainly refugees and students from Syria, Lebanon)
  • Some converts from native Luxembourgers and Europeans.

2. History of Islam in Luxembourg

  • Islam arrived in Luxembourg mostly in the 1970s and 1980s with waves of guest workers from Yugoslavia and North Africa.
  • Later, the refugee crises (from Bosnia, Iraq, and Syria) contributed to the growth of the Muslim population.
  • The Muslim community remains relatively young and diverse, with no deep historical roots in the country compared to older European Muslim communities.

3. Religious Institutions & Mosques
Islam was officially recognized by the Luxembourgish government in 2015, allowing for state funding, religious education, and the training of imams. There are now 6–7 mosques and prayer rooms across the country, including:

  • The Islamic Cultural Centre in Mamer (near Luxembourg City)
  • Mosques and prayer halls in Esch-sur-Alzette, Differdange, and Ettelbruck.

Friday prayers (Jumu’ah) and Islamic education for children are provided in these centers.

4. Islam in Public Life

  • Muslims are free to practice their faith under Luxembourg’s secular and tolerant legal framework.
  • Halal food is available in specialized markets and some restaurants.
  • Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated but are not public holidays.
  • Religious education in public schools is optional; some Muslim parents prefer to send their children to weekend religious classes at mosques.

5. Integration & Challenges
Muslims in Luxembourg are generally well-integrated, contributing to the economy as workers, professionals, and students. The government promotes interfaith dialogue, and relations between Muslims and other religious groups are peaceful. Challenges include:

  • Occasional social prejudice or stereotypes, though incidents of Islamophobia are rare,
  • The need for more religious infrastructure as the community grows.

6. Cultural & Social Aspects

  • The diversity of Muslim backgrounds means there is no single “Luxembourgish Islamic culture”; instead, communities maintain Bosnian, Arab, Albanian, and other traditions.
  • There are some Muslim student organizations at the University of Luxembourg.
  • Islamic weddings, funerals, and cultural celebrations are part of the growing social life of Muslims in Luxembourg.

Summary:
Islam in Luxembourg is a small, diverse, and legally recognized faith community, mostly made up of immigrants and their descendants. The Muslim population enjoys religious freedom, official support, and increasing social visibility, though infrastructure and representation are still developing.

Luxembourg
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .lu
Country Code: +352