Islamic News

Islam conquers the Czech Republic

Not long ago, the word «Islam» and «Czech Republic» were almost opposite – no one would mind it is not to combine them into one word. But now, 20 years after the fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, the number of Muslims is growing, they become more active, bringing in an organization that must protect their interests.

«Nearly 300 people are placed in the mosque and yet no less than 200 in the prayer hall of the Islamic Center – said one of the Governors of the Prague mosque Umar (Vladimir) Sankoh. – But every Friday come so many people that we are forced to read the Friday prayer and sermon in the two calls, that all fit ».

At the feast of Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayram) – one of the two main events of the Muslim calendar – had to rent a sports hall, which could accommodate 1500 people.

Notably, the increase in the number of Muslims in the country is linked not only with immigration, but and the fact that more and more Czechs are taking Islam. «In our mosque in Prague this happens almost every week», – tells Sankoh.

According to the census conducted in 2007, there were 12 thousand Muslims, but recent estimates indicate that about 20 to 000, including 400 novoobrativshihsya. The first official Muslim organization – the Islamic Foundation – appeared in 1991. In the 1998-meters opened the first mosque in Brno, and after a year in Prague.

There were attempts to build mosques and other places, mainly in the small resort towns, enjoying a certain popularity among Arabs, but those plans come to the resistance of local residents and the church.

Islam was recognized as the official religion in the Czech Republic only in 2004. Until recently, his only official centers have been a mosque in Brno and Prague. But with the growth of the Muslim community began to emerge, and new organizations.

For example, the Islamic community, one of the founding of which is Muhammad Abbas – a man known in the world media, publisher of Islamic books, including Among the Koran and «Al-Riyyad Salyahin», while the only collection of Hadith in the Czech language.

For the official registration of the Islamic community needs to collect 300 signatures – then it will be the second organization in the country, receiving financial support from the state.

«Now the organization we represent only a small number of Muslim countries – said Abbas. – We want to change the situation and create an organization for all, to be truly democratic and «transparent».

Upon receipt of registration, the organization will be able to lease and build Islamic centers, open religious schools and over time will get other rights, for example, engage in the spiritual education of Muslims in the Army, to visit prisoners in jail.

Another new organization, quite unlike all the existing ones, a group of «Muslims of the Czech Republic» social network «Facebook», created recently to Islam Dzhitkoy Servinkovoy.

Becoming a Muslim woman in September last year, 21-year-old began looking Dzhitka group co-religionists from their country in the «Facebook». Failing to find such a group, she decided to create one. Network Association has quickly grown rapidly and now has over 300 members.

«I think that« Facebook »excellently suited for meetings with Muslims, because I did not go to Prague our mosque, it is for me too far, and still women there mostly married with children – she told the correspondent of «IslamOnlayn». – When I was there, did not encounter any of the young girls my age ».

And now Dzhitka, along with other administrators, the group putting on the responsibility of the leadership of the rapidly growing and perhaps the most influential Muslim organizations in the country. «I feel that the Muslim community in the Czech Republic has been growing rapidly, although I do not know any statistics, just remember that each day meet here more and more Muslims».