A large part of what is today called Portugal, in the context of the New World divisions, was under Muslim rule in Andalusia for a long time.
Portugal and its people, like many other countries, embraced this religion, incorporating elements of Islamic culture into their own. The rule of Muslims over this land contributed to the spread of Islam in the region.
In fact, in the 15th century, the expansion of seafaring and the West’s growing understanding of Islamic knowledge and culture brought the East and West closer together, increasing their commercial and diplomatic relations.
Portugal did not stay away from this story and entered into this process.
Although Muslims are in the minority in this country, they are busy in various fields in this country.
The religion of the majority of people in this country is Christianity (of the Roman Catholic branch); And as mentioned earlier, Muslims are considered minorities in this country, just like other beliefs.
In fact, Islam is a small religious minority in Portugal, and the history of the presence of Muslims in this country dates back to 711 to 1249 AD. In fact, Muslims have been in contact with Portugal for a long time, and during the mentioned years, a large part of today’s Portuguese land was under the rule of Muslims, and it was called Western Andalusia.
According to the census of the National Institute of Portugal, known as the Institute of National Statistics, in the 1991 census, 9134 Muslims lived in Portugal. And in recent reports in 2016, the number of Muslims is 40,000.
In fact, the origin of a large number of Muslims in Portugal is the people of Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau, which were once under the rule of the Portuguese Empire. Other Muslims are made up of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.
Currently, most Muslims live in large urban centers such as Lisbon, Coimbra and Faro.
Historical works of Islam in Portugal
The Muslim rule over Lisbon lasted for more than four centuries and this rule left a deep impact on the language, culture and history of the Portuguese people.
When Portugal was occupied by Muslims, Christians were able to preserve their lives and customs and beliefs by paying jizya.
In fact, in the 10th century, Lisbon was the political, administrative, economic, and religious center of western Andalusia (the territory of the Islamic regime that included large parts of Spain and Portugal).
Lisbon was an area that included the entire Setúbal peninsula, including the cities of Almada, Palmala, Alcácer, Sintra and Asir villages in the current Lisbon region.
Lisbon encompassed an area defined by the walls of two large castles, one at Alcásova, on the hill, and the other at Cercamora, by the river. During many centuries, and during the time when they dominated these cities, Muslims changed the urban fabric of Lisbon. In such a way that the administrative, political and military affairs were concentrated in Elkasova Castle and the religious life was placed around the mosque and other related activities such as baths, inns, schools, and the market.
In fact, with archeology research, we will come to the conclusion that many places that are now considered Christian churches and places of worship, used to be mosques and places of worship for Muslims. Many archaeologists have achieved these achievements, which have been seen in many excavations.
The exteriors of Portugal’s historic churches and even the type of stone used in them clearly indicate their Islamic history.
Muslims had cultural heritage such as Islamic art and historical monuments such as mosques.
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