Modern Era
A law from 1912 recognized Islam as "state religion" and officially allowed its presence in the region. The first community (Moslimské náboženské obce pro Československo) was established in 1934. In 1949 previous registration was abolished. An attempt to set up new community in 1968 failed. In 1991 Center of Muslim communities (Ústředí muslimských náboženských obcí) was established. In 1998 a mosque was opened in Brno and a year later in Prague . Attempt to open mosques in a couple of other cities was stopped by local citizens. In 2004 Islam was officially registered: the community is thus eligible to obtain funds from the state.
Most of the Muslims are from Bosnia-Herzegovina (early 1990s) and former countries of Soviet Union (mostly from Caucasus region, from the late 1990s until the present). A significant and influential part are the middle-class people of Egyptian, Syrian and other Middle Eastern ancestries (typically those who studied in Czechoslovakia and decided to stay). A few hundred Muslims are Czech converts.
Read more about this topic: Islam In The Czech Republic
Famous quotes containing the words modern and/or era:
“In my experience, if you have to keep the lavatory door shut by extending your left leg, it’s modern architecture.”
—Nancy Banks-Smith, British columnist. Guardian (London, February 20, 1979)
“The era of long parades past an official podium filled with cold faces is gone. Celebrating is now a right, not a duty.”
—Lothar De Maizière (b. 1940)