Kosovo's independence: Birth of third Muslim country in Europe, continent has Islamic link, history and heritage dating back to centuries

Though Europeans often see Islam as an alien religion, reality is that Islam has been a part of Europe for hundreds of years.  

Kosovo is the latest country to have proclaimed independence. After Albania and Bosnia, it is the third country* with a Muslim majority in Europe.

The reactions have been mixed. USA, France, Germany and some other countries have decided to recognise the fledgling nation. Some other countries including Spain, Russia and Serbia [that lay claim over Kosova] have criticised the move of Kosovan government, to unilaterally declare its independence.

The birth of Kosova should be seen as another sign of harmony between Europe and Islam. The fact that such large Muslim populace has existed in Europe for centuries, should also serve as an eye-opener for those who consider Islam as inco.mpatible with West. 

Kosovo has a population of 2.1 million (21 lakh) and 90% populace practice Islam. There is a Christian Serb minority in the country also. The new government has downplayed its religious affiliation and is all set to be a secular nation on lines of Albania.

After disintegration of Yugoslavia, and subsequent war in this region Kosovo was administered by United Nations. *Apart from these countries, Balkan region that includes Bulgaria, Macedonia and Croatia has substantial Muslim population.

Albania is a Muslim majority country in Europe. Besides, the European part of Turkey, is also part of the continent, geographically. Russia also has a sizable Muslim community. UPDATE: As per latest estimates in 2025, the Countries like UK, Germany and France have 4 million, 5 million and 6 million Muslims. 

Italy has around 3 million Muslims. This is followed by Spain that has nearly 2 million Muslims. Countries like Cyprus, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Holland and Montenegro too have a visible Muslim presence. 

[The photograph shows 'New Born' and banner of 'Kosova is born' in the capital city Pristina]

Note: The article has been updated in 2025

Muslim bloggers & Islamic blogs from All Over the World

The Muslim blogosphere has grown rapidly in recent years. Muslims living in monarchies who couldn't raise their voice on political & social issues, have found blogs as a potent medium to share their thoughts & feelings. In Europe and America, scores of bloggers have emerged. Many of them are original thinkers and great writers. Some of the selected blogs that make an impact and are regularly updated are as follows:



Mind, Body and Soul: Tariq Nelson

Blogger Indonesia: A Fatih Syuhud

Izzy Mo

Raising Yousuf: A mother from Gaza (Palestine)

Shabana Mir's Koonj

Raza Rumi's Jehan-e-Rumi

Awab Alvi's Teeth Maestro

All Things Pakistan (ATP) Pakistaniat

Umm Yasmin's Dervish

Maliha's Lightness of Being

Islamosphere

Peaceful Muslimah

Aunt Najma's A Star from Mosul

The Angry Arab

War on Al-Islam

Muslim Woman

Mere Islam

A Muslim Thinktank

A Muslim Wife

Chapati Mystery

Nzingha's Soapbox

Sketched Soul

Sweep the Sunshine

Confessions of a Sore Thumb

Laila Lalami
Group Blogs

Austrolabe

AltMuslim

IndianMuslims.in


For latest stories from Islamic world and links also see:

Ummah Watch

Ijtema


And yours' truly (An Indian Muslim) blogs as Indscribe

(This is not a comprehensive list or directory. Once into this world you can yourself sail find hundreds of interesting Islamic weblogs through blogrolls and links. Just see the number of Muslimahs (Muslim women) who are blogging. The list above probably has more Muslim women than Men.) There are hundreds of Muslim bloggers across the globe and it is impossible to feature them all. Above are a few of Muslim bloggers from Middle-East (Arab world), Asia, Australia, America, Europe and Africa(!).

Crisis in Lebanon: Arab countries 'condemn' Israel's aggression, content with their 'vocal support' once again

"Arabs condemn Israel's aggression", that's what a newspaper reported after the killings of scores of youth and children. One doesn't know how to react to such statements.

Tonnes of ink has been wasted in the Indian sub-continent alone on what we call in Urdu, the 'be-hisi' (apathy) and khamoshi (silence) of Arab rulers.

So what is surprising now? Even my non-Muslim friends ask me why these states don't speak, why people don't come out on the street like in Indian sub-continent.

And questions like why the oil not used as weapon? There are so many arguments, counter-arguments and reasons for the silence in Arab street as well. But I don't think over it simply because Palestinians have suffered for decades.

Not only Israel but entire Middle-East and the Arab world has been humiliated by United States of America through support to Zionist state's terrorism. I don't know whether the Arab states fear that support to Hezbollah would in turn help Shias and led to growing influence of Iran in the region.

Or that they are too dependent on America as their monarchies exist due to its support.
But if the states of Middle-east and their people are still not angry and 'humiliated enough' at the constant suffering of their brethren then why should I cry. It should have been their war, their cause.

It is no shock that monarchies of Arab world don't take a strong stand, we are used to all this for decades. They have their own paradises on this earth. If they are not affected by the disturbing reports and images then there is nothing left to say.

The real Arab is invisible. Expecting those to act who dared to change the Muslim world's Arabia (the Prophet's Arab) to Saudi Arabia, the Arab belonging to a family, The Sauds. I don't expect them to act.

And I don't wish to wail further for the plight of Palestinians, Lebanese and others. Surely those who are fighting the aggression will continue to do so. Qana is no first such incident but one must stop looking at Saudis or anybody else.

I am sure those spirited Lebanese and Palestinians will continue their fight. Neither Israel can fight for eternity. And I can just pray to God in private, nothing else. The aggressor will surely lose some day.

Indian government, media's obsession with America, Britan: World has 218 more countries other than US and UK

Israel attacked Palestinian Prime Minister's office and damaged it. The airstrikes are getting fiernce. In Gaza buildings, power stations, bridges were destroyed.

Strangely, this action which Israel calls 'collective punishment' has failed to attract our attention in India.

Indian government and media seem detached. What I am worried is that newspapers are not just concerned, they may take sides, but they should report.

Its a big humanitarian crisis for Palestinians. Unfortunately in India, we have seen how during the cold war everything wrong was attributed to CIA and US while there could be nothing wrong about Russia [USSR] then.

In those days, the journalists and writers who went to Russia and returned would write romantic details about the country like a girl who held spade or worked in factory and in the evening went for a date and during the night read literature--epitome of civilised society.

Similarly, once Israel was eternal enemy for us. So much that we didn't play sports with them. Remember how it was only after Rajiv Gandhi's intervention that we could play Israel in the Davis Cup. As long as Yasser Arafat was there he bonhomie remained though since Narsimha Rao's times we got to see Palestine getting off our national consciousness.

Now that everybody in India's middle and upper-middle class have found their Eldorado in US and software revolution has eclipsed all, politics, morality, international affairs, we give a damn to all. We just don't care what happens in the world except US and to an extent UK.

Just to remind that there are 220 countries in this word!