Islam in the Netherlands

Mevlana Mosque in Rotterdam . The history of Islam in the Netherlands started in the early 17th century when the Dutch Republic signed a treaty of free commerce with Morocco , the first-ever official treaty between a European country and a non-Christian nation. In the 19th century, the Netherlands experienced sporadic Muslim migration from the Dutch East Indies when it was a colony from the Netherlands . Economic growth from 1960 to 1973 lead the Dutch government to recruit large numbers of immigrant workers, chiefly from Turkey and Morocco, and migration has continued by way of family reunification and asylum seekers from politically unstable Muslim countries. Data from 2006 shows that the Netherlands hosts an estimated 850,000 Muslims, including approximately 320,000 Turks and 280,000 Moroccans. Most of them live in the four major cities of the country, Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht . They are concentrated in low-income neighborhoods with poor housing quality, chronic unemployment, and high levels of crime. Politically, about two-thirds of Turks and Moroccans "associate predominantly with members of their own ethnic group", and have low voter turnout and participation in politics. In the fourth Balkenende cabinet Muslims are represented by state secretaries Nebahat Albayrak , Ahmed Aboutaleb , and at least 10 members of parliament. Marginalisation and alienation due to perceived discrimination may cause many young second-generation Muslims to identify more with their religion than their nationality.

Mevlana Mosque in Rotterdam . Islam in the Netherlands is the second largest religion in the country after various forms of Christianity , practiced by 4% of the population according to 2012 estimates. Majority of Muslims in the Netherlands belong to Sunni denomination, with a significant Shia minority. Most of the Netherlands' Muslims reside in the nation's four major cities, Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht . The early history of Islam in the Netherlands can be traced to 16th century when Ottoman traders began settling in the nation's port cities. While religious exposure arrived via trade partnerships, improvised Mosques in Amsterdam were first constructed in the early 17th century. In the ensuing timeframe, the Netherlands experienced sporadic Muslim immigration from the Dutch East Indies during its status as a colony of the Netherlands . Starting with the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire through the independence of Indonesia, the greater Kingdom of the Netherlands contained the world's largest Muslim citizenry. However, the number of Muslims in the Kingdom's European territories was very low, accounting for less than 0.1% of the population. The Netherlands' economic resurgence in the 1960 to 1973 timeframe motivated the Dutch government to recruit migrant labor, chiefly from Turkey and Morocco . Later waves of immigrants arrived through family reunification and asylum seeking .

Mevlana Mosque in Rotterdam Islam is the second largest religion in the Netherlands , after Christianity, practised by 5% of the population according to 2018 estimates. The majority of Muslims in the Netherlands belong to the Sunni denomination. Many reside in the country's four major cities, Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht . The early history of Islam in the Netherlands can be traced to the 16th century, when a small number of Ottoman merchants began settling in the nation's port cities. As a result, improvised Mosques were first created in Amsterdam in the early 17th century. In the ensuing centuries, the Netherlands experienced sporadic Muslim immigration from the Dutch East Indies , during their long history as part of the Dutch overseas possessions . From the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War until the independence of Indonesia, the Dutch East Indies contained the world's largest Muslim population. However, the number of Muslims in the European territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was very low, accounting for less than 0.1% of the population. The Netherlands' economic resurgence in the years between 1960 and 1973 motivated the Dutch government to recruit migrant labor, chiefly from Turkey and Morocco . Later waves of immigrants arrived through family reunification and asylum seeking . A notable portion of Muslim immigrants also arrived from now-independent colonies, primarily Indonesia and Suriname .

Overview of Islam in the Netherlands Islam in Europe by percentage of country population Islam is the second largest religion in the Netherlands , after Christianity , and is practised by 5% of the population according to 2018 estimates. The majority of Muslims in the Netherlands belong to the Sunni denomination. Many reside in the country's four major cities: Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht . The early history of Islam in the Netherlands can be traced back to the 16th century, when a small number of Ottoman merchants began settling in the nation's port cities. As a result, improvised mosques were first built in Amsterdam in the early 17th century. In the ensuing centuries, the Netherlands experienced sporadic Muslim immigration from the Dutch East Indies , during their long history as part of the Dutch overseas possessions . From the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War until the independence of Indonesia , the Dutch East Indies contained the world's second largest Muslim population, after British India . However, the number of Muslims in the European territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was very low, accounting for less than 0.1% of the population. The Netherlands' economic resurgence in the years between 1960 and 1973 motivated the Dutch government to recruit migrant labor from the Muslim world , chiefly from Turkey and Morocco . Later waves of immigrants arrived through family reunification and asylum seeking . A notable portion of Muslim immigrants also arrived from the former colonies of Indonesia and Suriname . There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or templates on this page, but the references will not show without a template or template (see the help page ).

Islam in Europe by percentage of country population Islam is the second largest religion in the Netherlands , after Christianity , and is practised by 6% of the population according to 2023. estimates. The majority of Muslims in the Netherlands belong to the Sunni denomination. Many reside in the country's four major cities: Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht . The early history of Islam in the Netherlands can be traced back to the 16th century, when a small number of Ottoman merchants began settling in the nation's port cities. As a result, improvised mosques were first built in Amsterdam in the early 17th century. In the ensuing centuries, the Netherlands experienced sporadic Muslim immigration from the Dutch East Indies , during their long history as part of the Dutch overseas possessions . From the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War until the independence of Indonesia , the Dutch East Indies contained the world's second largest Muslim population, after British India . However, the number of Muslims in the European territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was very low, accounting for less than 0.1% of the population. The Netherlands' economic resurgence in the years between 1960 and 1973 motivated the Dutch government to recruit foreign skilled laborers, chiefly from Morocco and Turkey – both majority Muslim countries . Later waves of Muslim immigrants arrived through family reunification and asylum seeking . Small but notable minorities of Muslims also immigrated from the former colonies of Indonesia and Suriname . There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or templates on this page, but the references will not show without a template or template (see the help page ).