Christian-Muslim Relations in Central Europe: The Polish Experience

Abstract

Although thirty million Muslims currently reside in the European Union, and adherents to the Islamic religion now constitute the majority of immigrants and the second largest religious group in European society, the influence of Islam on the culture of Central Europe was and is small, with the notable exception of Poland. There, a small traditional group of Polish Muslims has made a considerable contribution during six centuries of history to Poland's cultural and religious heritage: Polish Muslims or “Tartars” fought for Catholic Poland against the Catholic State of the Teutonic Order, and almost always stood by their Polish kings against incursions from the Sunni Turks, highlighting the importance of the loyalty felt to the Polish homeland. By the same token, Polish culture has been greatly enriched by Tartar customs, in a gradual and complex process of acculturation - a process that was ‘necessary’, ‘extended’ and ‘complete’ in its various phases. More recent migrants and refugees arriving in Poland have increased the ethnic and religious diversity of the Polish Muslim community, with marked social and theological implications. These are reflected today in the plethora of organisations representing the interests of various Muslim groups and organisations in the country. Furthermore, the advanced extent of Christian-Muslim dialogue, something well developed in Poland, manifests a true “dialogue of life” and reflects the shared desire to promote understanding, stimulate communication, and work collaboratively on specific problems of mutual concern.