Islam in Finland

Islam in Finland

ByEditorial Team

According to the Finland official census (2021), there are 20,876 people in Finland belonging to registered Muslim communities, representing a mere 0.37% of the total population. However, this statistic belies the true scale of Islam’s presence in the Nordic nation. Estimates suggest that between 120,000 to 130,000 Muslims reside in Finland, accounting for approximately 2.3% of the country’s population.

This remarkable growth in Finland’s Muslim community has unfolded over the past few decades, with the number of Muslims rising from just 2,700 in 1990 to around 20,000 by 2003. Today, there are dozens of Islamic communities and over 30 mosques scattered across the country, catering to the diverse needs of this dynamic and rapidly expanding population.

Key Takeaways

  • Finland’s registered Muslim community represents just 0.37% of the total population, but the estimated number of Muslims in the country is around 2.3%.
  • The Muslim population in Finland has grown significantly in recent decades, rising from 2,700 in 1990 to around 20,000 by 2003 and an estimated 120,000-130,000 today.
  • There are dozens of Islamic communities and over 30 mosques in Finland, reflecting the diversity and increasing presence of Islam in the Nordic nation.
  • The growth of the Muslim population in Finland has been driven by immigration, with the country hosting a wide range of Muslim ethnic and linguistic groups.
  • Despite the increasing importance of Islam in Finland, the religion is still considered a marginal faith, and the country faces challenges in accommodating the religious practices and integration of its Muslim citizens.

Introduction to Islam in Finland

The presence of Islam in Finland can be traced back to the late 19th century, when Tatar Muslims arrived as merchants and soldiers. These adherents of Sunni Islam, who spoke one of the Turkic languages, formed the first Islamic congregation in the country – the Finnish Islamic Association (Finnish: Suomen Islam-seurakunta) – which was established in 1925, shortly after Finland’s declaration of independence in 1917.

The history of Islam in Finland is closely tied to the arrival of Muslims from the Tatar regions. These Tatar communities, primarily from the Nizhny Novgorod region, continued to migrate to Finland until the 1920s, eventually forming a small but persistent minority within the country.

Historical Background

The Tatar Muslims were the first to establish a significant Islamic presence in Finland. They settled in the country’s major urban areas, particularly in Southern Finland, and maintained a tight-knit community with an average household size of 5.5 members in the 1930s. Despite their small numbers, the Tatars played a notable role in Finland’s war efforts during World War II, with nearly 180 individuals participating.

Over the decades, the Tatar population in Finland has remained consistently small, numbering under a thousand individuals. While the Tatar Muslims were the dominant Islamic presence in the country until the 1960s, the demographic landscape has since become more diverse, with the arrival of other Muslim communities in the later part of the 20th century.

“Tatars have been a consistently small minority in Finland, numbering under a thousand individuals.”

Demographics of Muslims in Finland

The Muslim population in Finland has experienced a significant surge in recent years, largely due to increased immigration. According to estimates by Muslim religious leaders, the current Muslim population in Finland has reached around 120,000, with approximately 75% being Sunni and 25% Shia.

The largest Muslim majority ethnic groups in Finland based on language are:

  • Arabic (30,467)
  • Somali (20,997)
  • Kurdish (14,327)
  • Persian (12,090)
  • Albanian (10,391)

In 2017, the Pew Research Center estimated that Muslims made up 2.7% of Finland’s population, or approximately 150,000 people. While the Muslim population in Finland remains relatively small compared to some other European countries, it is projected to grow significantly in the coming decades.

“Finland’s Muslim population is expected to reach around 15% by 2050, according to research predictions.”

The influx of Muslim immigrants to Finland, along with the country’s increasing religious diversity, has led to both integration challenges and opportunities. As the Muslim population continues to evolve, it will be crucial for Finland to navigate these demographic shifts while promoting mutual understanding and social cohesion.

Islamic Communities and Organizations

Finland is home to a diverse array of Islamic societies and organizations, reflecting the country’s growing Muslim population. These communities play a crucial role in preserving cultural traditions, providing religious guidance, and fostering integration within the broader Finnish society.

Registered Islamic Societies

The oldest and largest Islamic society in Finland is the Finnish Islamic Association, established in 1925. With around 700 members, this society is primarily composed of Tatars and maintains mosques in Helsinki, Tampere, and Lahti.

Another prominent organization is the Islamic Society of Finland, founded in 1987. Its membership includes Arabs and Finnish converts, and it operates a mosque and Quran school in Helsinki.

The Helsinki Islamic Center is currently the largest Islamic society, boasting nearly 2,000 members. Additionally, there are dozens of other registered Islamic societies throughout the Helsinki region, catering to the diverse needs of the Muslim community.

While the majority of these mosques are multilingual, the most commonly used languages are English and Finnish. However, religious services are typically conducted in Arabic.

“The Islamic communities in Finland play a vital role in preserving cultural traditions and providing religious guidance to the growing Muslim population.”

Religious Practices and Integration

Finland’s constitution ensures the freedom of religion, allowing Muslims to practice their faith and build places of worship freely. However, the integration of Islamic practices into Finnish society has faced some challenges.

In 2022, a man was sentenced to two years in prison for slaughtering sheep without stunning them first, which is a requirement under Finland’s animal welfare laws. The man claimed he was following halal slaughter practices, highlighting the tension between traditional Islamic practices and the country’s regulations.

The Muslim community in Finland has also condemned negative comments made by government officials about burqas, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom. These incidents underline the ongoing efforts to balance Islamic practices with Finnish societal norms.

Despite these challenges, the Muslim population in Finland has been steadily growing, with the number of followers estimated to have increased tenfold between 1990 and 2011, currently ranging between 65,000–70,000. The country’s legal framework, including the Freedom of Religion Act, provides a foundation for the integration of Islamic and other minority religious practices.

“The current Finnish Constitution of 2000 and the Freedom of Religion Act (453/2003) provide detailed legal status, rights, and obligations for churches and registered religious associations, encompassing both old and new religious minorities in Finland.”

As Finland continues to navigate the integration of Islamic practices, maintaining a balance between religious freedom and adherence to national laws remains a key priority.

Islam in Finland

Finland, known for its progressive and inclusive society, has witnessed a growing Muslim population over the past few decades. This diverse community has deep roots in the country, dating back to the 19th century when the first Muslim settlers, the Finnish Tatars, arrived from Russia.

The number of Muslims in Finland has risen considerably since the early 1990s, primarily due to immigration and refugee influxes from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans. Today, it is estimated that around 120,000-130,000 people with a Muslim background reside in Finland, making them the largest and fastest-growing religious minority in the country.

The Finnish Muslim community reflects the country’s overall diversity, with adherents from various ethnic, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. Sunni Islam is the predominant school of thought, but the community also includes a significant Shia population, primarily from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.

The first official Islamic association in Finland was established in 1925, and in 1996, several Islamic organizations formed the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Finland to coordinate their efforts. The country’s religious education system also caters to the needs of Muslim students, with the Finnish National Core Curriculum for Basic Education including syllabi for Islamic studies.

Despite the growing presence of Islam in Finland, opportunities for personal interaction and religious dialogue in everyday life remain limited, with only around 35% of Finns knowing a Muslim personally. However, the country’s commitment to religious freedom and diversity continues to shape the integration and acceptance of the Muslim community.

“Finland is a unique country where Muslims can freely practice their faith and live harmoniously with the rest of the population. The country’s progressive policies and inclusive society have been instrumental in fostering a sense of belonging among the Muslim community.”

As Finland continues to evolve, the role of Islam within its diverse cultural landscape will undoubtedly continue to shape the country’s social and religious fabric, contributing to its vibrant and inclusive identity.

Legal Status and Religious Freedom

Finland is known for its commitment to protecting religious freedom and the legal status of different faiths. The country’s constitution prohibits religious discrimination “without an acceptable reason” and ensures the right to profess and practice a religion, as well as to decline membership in a religious community.

Religious laws in Finland are designed to safeguard the sanctity of religion. It is illegal to breach this sanctity, which includes acts like blasphemy, offending the sacred beliefs of a religious community, or disturbing worship or funeral ceremonies. Individuals and religious groups can exist, associate, and practice their faith without needing to register with the government.

However, to be eligible for government funding, religious communities other than the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church must register with the Patent and Registration Office as a recognized religious community. This ensures a degree of regulation and oversight, while still preserving Religious freedom in Finland.

“Finland is a country that highly values the legal status of Islam and the freedom of all religions to practice their beliefs. This is a testament to the country’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

Overall, the Religious laws in Finland strike a balance between maintaining public order and ensuring the rights of individuals and religious groups to freely express their faith. This commitment to religious freedom is a key aspect of Finland’s inclusive and pluralistic society.

Challenges and Controversies

Terrorism and Radicalization

Finland has not been immune to the challenges posed by Terrorism in Finland and the Radicalization of Muslims in Finland. According to a 2016 report from the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, at least 70 individuals had left Finland to enter conflict zones, with the majority joining jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq. This trend began in the 2012-13 period, with a male-female ratio of approximately 80-20%.

The first terrorist attack in Finland occurred in 2017, when Abderrahman Bouanane, a failed asylum seeker from Morocco, stabbed two women to death and wounded eight other people in the Turku attack. This incident highlighted the threat of Islamic extremism in Finland, a concern that persists today. In 2020, Islamist militants constituted the majority of those under surveillance by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (SUPO), and Finland is even portrayed as an enemy state in ISIS propaganda.

The Foreign fighters in the Syrian and Iraqi Civil Wars movement has amplified transnational contacts for the Islamist movements in Finland, posing a significant challenge to the country’s security and social fabric. Addressing these issues of Terrorism in Finland and the Radicalization of Muslims in Finland remains a critical priority for Finnish authorities and communities.

“Collective religious activity is a common form of social organization of immigrants in Finland, and thousands of religious organizations have been formed in Europe since World War II.”

As Finland navigates these complex challenges, it is evident that a multifaceted approach is required, involving collaboration between law enforcement, community leaders, and policymakers to promote integration, counter radicalization, and ensure the security and well-being of all citizens.

Future Outlook

The future of Islam in Finland is set to undergo significant changes in the years ahead. The Muslim population in Finland is projected to experience substantial growth, with estimates suggesting it could increase from around 40,000 in 2010 to an impressive 190,000 by 2050, representing a 3.4 percent share of the total population.

This trend aligns with the broader European landscape, where Muslims are expected to make up 10 percent of the population by 2050, up from 5.9 percent in 2010. Globally, the Muslim population is poised to surge, growing by 73 percent between 2010 and 2050, far outpacing the overall population growth of 35 percent during the same period.

As the Muslim population in Finland continues to expand, the integration of these communities will be a crucial factor in shaping the future of Islam in Finland. The government’s ongoing efforts to protect religious freedom and address issues related to Islamic practices, such as halal slaughter, will play a pivotal role in fostering a harmonious coexistence.

However, the integration of Muslims in Finland is not without its challenges. Instances of radicalization and terrorism have occurred, and the rise of right-wing political parties, such as the Finns Party, has raised concerns about potential anti-immigration agendas. The formation of a new government in Finland will be closely watched, as it could significantly impact the future of Islam in Finland.

Ultimately, the future of Islam in Finland will depend on the nation’s ability to navigate these complex dynamics, foster inclusive policies, and promote mutual understanding between diverse communities. As Finland’s religious landscape evolves, the successful integration of Muslims will be crucial in shaping the country’s social and cultural fabric in the years to come.

“The integration of Muslims in Finland is a crucial factor in shaping the future of Islam in the country. As the Muslim population continues to grow, the government’s efforts to protect religious freedom and address related issues will be pivotal in fostering a harmonious coexistence.”

Conclusion

Finland, a predominantly Christian nation, has witnessed a significant growth in its Muslim population in recent decades due to immigration. While only 0.4% of the population officially belong to Islamic congregations, the actual Muslim community is estimated to range from 65,000 to 180,000 individuals, comprising both Sunni and Shia sects. Despite the relatively small size of the Muslim population, the government has generally upheld religious freedom, allowing practices such as the wearing of headscarves in schools.

However, the integration of the Muslim community has not been without its challenges. Instances of radicalization and terrorism have caused concerns, leading to efforts to address security issues. Additionally, there have been occasional controversies, such as those related to halal slaughter practices. The nondiscrimination ombudsman’s office has received a number of complaints related to religious discrimination, underscoring the need for continued efforts to promote social cohesion and mutual understanding.

Moving forward, the future of Islam in Finland will depend on the ability of the government, religious leaders, and the broader community to work together to address the unique needs and concerns of the Muslim population, while upholding the country’s commitment to religious freedom and social harmony. By fostering open dialogue, promoting interfaith understanding, and addressing any security concerns in a balanced and inclusive manner, Finland can continue to be a model of diversity and religious tolerance.

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