Islam in Belarus

Islam in Belarus was introduced by Lipka Tatars in the 14th -16th centuries, and now also includes Muslim immigrants.

History

The Islam in Belarus initially spread from the 14th to the 16th centuries. The process was encouraged by several Lithuanian princes, who invited the Tatar Muslim from the Crimea and Golden Horde as guards of state borders. Already in the 14th century the Tatars were settling into a more sedentary way of life. By the end of the 16th century over 100,000 Tatars had settled in Belarus and Lithuania, including those hired as guards, voluntary immigrants, and prisoners of war.

The Tatars follow Sunni Islam. Interethnic marriages with Belarusians, Poles, Lithuanians, and Russians are common, but have not resulted in total assimilation.

Originating from different ethnic associations, Belarusian (and also Polish and Lithuanian) Tatars lost their native language over time and switched mainly into Belarusian, Polish and Russian. However, religious practice is conducted in the Arabic.

Modern times

In 1994, the First All-Belarusian Congress of Muslims was held. As a result, the Muslim Religious Community of the Republic of Belarus was founded. Ever since it has been headed by Dr.Ismail Aleksandrovich.

In 1997 there were 23 communities including 19 of those in the Western regions of Belarus.

Mosques

First mosques appeared on the territory of Belarus during the 14th and 15th centuries. In 1994, the mosque in Slonim was opened, and in 1996 one in Smilovichi. In July 1997 in memory of the 600th anniversary of settlement of Tartars in Belarus, there took place a ceremony of opening a mosque in Novogrudok. In the 19th century the mosque in the town of Ivye was built; it is considered a monument of Belarusian wooden architecture. Today there are 4 functional mosques in Belarus and a 5th one is under construction. In 1997, the foundation stone was laid for a future mosque in Minsk. There were 27 Muslim communities in Belarus by mid-2002.

According to Mr. Kanapatsky, the Islamic Association will concentrate its efforts on building a mosque in Minsk, as well as on renovating the mosque in Smilovichi and Muslim cemeteries throughout the country. Apart from Smilovichi, there are mosques in the towns of Ivye, Slonim, and Novogrudok in the Grodno region; in Kletsk in the Minsk region; and in Vidzy in the Vitebsk region.

External links

* [http://belarus.vneshintourist.net/?p=67&more=1&c=1 Religion in Belarus]
* [http://www.belarus-misc.org/islam.htm Islamic Religion & Culture in Belarus]