Islam In Poland the Past and the Present more

The co-existence of Christians and Muslims in Poland has a long history and is indeed intertwined with that of the Polish nation itself. The Muslim presence in the territory actually started in the 14th century and increased in number in the following centuries. These Muslims were mainly of the Tatar origin and they have maintained, down the centuries, their Sunnite faith of the Hanafite School. They were progressively recognized by the Nation and in 1936 by the Polish State. After the Communist period, new problems appeared. In addition to the historical presence of Tatars there was Muslim immigration - coming mostly from the Arab countries - which surpassed those of Tatar origin. This phenomenon has led on the one hand to an internal difficulty for the Muslims themselves and on the other hand to difficulties in relations with the State. It poses the problem of identity and representation. There is a need to revisit and update the Act of Parliament of 1936 in keeping with the new situation. Although the global percentage estimated by Muslims in Poland may be less that 1% of the national population, the relationships of Muslim-Christian dialogue  are good. In 1997, the Common Council of Catholics and Muslims was established and the Polish Episcopal Conference agreed on an annual "Day of Islam" set for 26th January.