Are you currently residing in Switzerland, or perhaps going there for a visit? If so, you will need to know the Islamic prayer times in Switzerland. Muslim and Quran brings you the most accurate prayer timings in any Swiss city. In 1980, Muslims made up less than 1% of the total population in this country. In a few decades, their number increased more than four times. According to the most recent estimates, the Muslim population stands at 5% of the total population in Switzerland. Most of these are from Former Yugoslavia and Turkey, though there are immigrants from other Muslim countries as well. At Muslim and Quran, we stay dedicated to helping Muslim residents and travelers stay connected to their faith. Download our app today and get reliable, accurate prayer timings for any Swiss city!
Five times a day, Muslims detach from the responsibilities and tasks of the world and renew their faith by submitting to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Moreover, they get to enjoy a shared sense of faith and community with their fellow Muslims. Since it's a country with a Muslim minority, it can be challenging to figure out the right Islamic prayer times in Switzerland. With the Muslim and Quran app, though, you'll never have to miss a single prayer again! Our website and prayer schedules provide updated times for various mosques in your area. For even more convenience, you can always download the mobile applications. Make sure to turn on notifications so you'll be alerted of each upcoming prayer time.
At present, there are some major Swiss cities and cantons with a significant Muslim population. The highest concentration is in Biel, with Muslims making up 11 percent of the total city population. Here are the other cities with their respective Muslim population percentages:
A wide majority of Swiss Muslims follow the Sunni branch of religion. One interesting demographic feature is the somewhat equal distribution of Muslims in the county. No Swiss village or town has a Muslim population of more than 16.8 percent, while the administrative units all have Muslim populations below 9 percent.
While most Muslims in Switzerland are immigrants, there are several instances of Islamic conversions by native residents as well. Recently, it was estimated that around 10,000 out of 400,000 Muslims were native Swiss converts to Islam.
Islam was introduced to Switzerland by Muslim Arabs from the Mediterranean in the 10th century. However, the country did not host Muslim residents till the 20th century, when Muslims began migrating to Europe as the employment market beckoned workers in light of labor shortages after World War II. However, for the most part, Muslim representation in Swiss cities remained limited to diplomats and tourists from rich Arab countries.
Muslim population increased in the country in the latter half of the 20th century, mainly due to an influx of Muslim immigrants from war-torn Yugoslavia. At present, there are more than 260 mosques and Islamic prayer areas in Switzerland. The country has the second-lowest number of masjids per individual Muslim when compared to the European average. There is one mosque for every 4000 Muslims in the country, though these numbers may show some improvement over time. Two of these mosques were built before 1980. However, the majority of mosques and prayer rooms in Switzerland were built or repurposed fairly recently. They are predominantly located in the Swiss plateau's urban areas.
In 2007, plans for building a large Islamic cultural center were rejected by the Bern city council. Other than this, four Swiss mosques represent Islamic culture through their architecture (which includes minarets). There is a major mosque in Geneva, Zurich, Wangen bei Olten, and Winterthur as well. The mosque in Wangen bei Olten was erected as recently as 2009, after many years of legal and political disputes. It created a minaret controversy, which led to a popular vote in late 2009. This vote passed an initiative banning the construction of future minarets. The campaign was won by the Swiss People's Party, though there were unexpected occurrences, such as their own council member converting to Islam. The name of this member was Daniel Streich, who also left the SPP in a move opposing their campaign against minarets. Other countries also expressed concern over the ban.
With the Muslim and Quran app, you'll be able to look up the mosques with minarets and visit them while in Switzerland. Our service will help you offer prayers on time and experience a piece of history at the same time!
If you're currently in Switzerland or planning to be there soon, do make plans to connect with the local Muslim community there. You may find a different vibe in each city or canton, with the local mosques holding various events, prayer groups, and other gatherings. As always, the Muslim and Quran app will remain your constant companion. We're committed to supporting the Swiss Muslim community and its members. With information about updated prayer times, mosque locations, and other relevant aspects, you'll easily be able to navigate life in Switzerland.