Islam is the religion of Peace, tolerance, humanity and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent as blessing for all mankind. According to Michael H. Hart. Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was the most influential personality of the world since the history has been recorded. There are 57 Muslim countries in the world. Approximately 12% Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim populous country in the world, 31% live in South Asia, 21% live in the middle east- North Africa, 15% live in Sub Saharan Africa. Sizeable Muslim communities are present in Americas, China, Europe and other parts of the world. Islam is the world’s fastest growing major religious group, and is projected to be the world’s largest religion by the end of 21st century. There are about 1.9 billion Muslims in the world.
There are significant numbers of Muslims in Russia. Islam is the second largest religion of Russia and accounts about 10% of its total population. Russia has the largest Muslim population in Europe. According to the US Department of State in 2017, Muslims in Russia were about 14 million or roughly 10 % of its population. The Grand Mufti of Russia, Sheikh Rawil Gaynetdin, estimated the Muslim population in Russia at 25 million in 2018. Recognized under the law and by Russian traditional religions, Islam is part of Russian historical heritage and is subsidized by the Russian government. President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin called Islam as, “Integral part of Russian code”. An Islamic School in Moscow was opened in 19901. In the 1990s the number of Islamic publications has increased. Among them are few magazines in Russia namely Islam, Islam sky Vestnik, and the Russian language newspapers, “Assalam” and, “Nurul Islam” which are published in Makhachkala, Dagestan.
The Russian Islamic University is Russia’s first official Islamic University. It was founded in 1998 in Kazan, Tatarstan. The university consist of three departments. In 2008 the university had 70 faculty and more than 400 students.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is a visionary leader and has won the hearts and minds of Muslims by condemning Islamophobia and gave many concessions to Muslims. On 23rd September, 2015 President Vladimir Putin and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened Moscow’s cathedral Mosque.
Islam in Russia by Region
Region % of Muslims
Adygea 24.6
Altai Krai 1.00
Altai Republic 6.20
Amur Oblast 0.63
Arkhangets Oblast 14.62
Basm Kortostan 58.62
Belgorod Oblast 0.62
Chechnya 95.00
Dagestan 98.00
Ingushetia 96.00
Kabarachini Balkaria 55.40
Karachay Cherkessia 64.20
North Ossetia 32.00
Currently there are four mosques in Moscow. Around 8,000 praying centers has been established for Muslims all over the country. Islam is mainly comprised in seven states: -
1. Ingushetia: It is a Russian Republic with a population of 330,000 of which 96% are Muslims. The state proclaimed Islam as its primary religion in the 19th Century. It primarily follows the Shafii School of thought. Most of them dress similar to the Muslims in Indonesia and Malaysia. Muhammad Ali Kalimatar heads the State of Ingushetia and is a practicing Muslim.
2. Chechnya: It is one of the largest Islamic states in Russia. Ramazan Kadyrov the head of the state has memorized the Holy Quran and continues to preside over the state. Chechen Muslims primarily follow the Shafii school of thought.
3. Kabardino Balkaraia: It is best known as its scenic beauty. Kabardino is home to highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbus. It has a population of about 900,000 of which 70% are Muslims. They follow Sunni Islamic thoughts and its head of the Republic is Kabek Kokou.
4. Karachay Cherkessia: It is federal state in the North Caucasus region of Russia. Its population is about 500,000 of which 64% are Muslims. Their leader Rashid Tenmrezov has established many rules to balance religious nature of the Karachay. He is a practicing Muslim.
5. Bashkortostan or Bashkiria: It is located between the Ural Mountains and the Volga river. Its population is around 5 million of which 60% are Muslims. The Native Muslims Bashkirs primarily speak Turkish, influenced by the Radiy Khabirov and he has been known to respect Islam.
6. Tatarstan: It has a population of 4 million people which mainly comprises Tatars and Bashkirs. Around 55% of the population of Tatarstan is Muslim. There are Masjids on every corner of Tatarstan.
7. Dagestan: It has Muslim Majority with a population of 4 million. It is also known as the mountain of languages and nationalities. About 90% of its population practice Islam. The famous mix martial Artist, Khabib Nurmagomedov hails from the republic of Dagestan and is a devout Muslim. He has inspired millions of people around the world with his kind attitude, gentle manners and respect. He is a hero of many youth not only in Russia but many parts of the world.
Muslims in Russia are integral part of their country and they are contributing significantly for the development, progress and integrity of Russia.