Islam in France
Islam in France is a minority faith. Muslims are estimated to represent around 4% of the nation's population as per the Statista and Le Monde, although Insee claims that in metropolitan France this percentage can reach 10%. After conquering much of the Iberian peninsula, the Umayyad Muslim forces invaded modern day southern France, but were decisively defeated by the Frankish Christian army led by Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD, thus preventing the subsequent Islamisation of the Western Europe. During a later incursion, Muslims established the fortress Fraxinetum.
| Islam by country |
|---|
| Islam portal |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5.7 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hauts-de-France, Mayotte | |
| Religions | |
| Predominantly Sunni Islam, minority Shia Islam, Ahmadiyya, Sufism and Ibadism | |
| Languages | |
| Main: French, Arabic, Berber, Turkish |
| Islam by country |
|---|
| Islam portal |
The majority of Muslims in France belong to the Sunni denomination and are of foreign origins. Sizeable minorities of Shia, Ahmadiyya and non-denominational Muslims also exist. The French overseas region of Mayotte has a majority Muslim population.
According to a survey in which 536 people of Muslim origin participated, 39% of Muslims in France surveyed by the polling group IFOP said they observed Islam's five prayers daily in 2008, a steady rise from 31% in 1994, according to the study published in the Catholic daily La Croix. Mosque attendance for Friday prayers has risen to 23% in 2008, up from 16% in 1994, while Ramadan observance has reached 70% in 2008 compared to 60% in 1994. Alcohol consumption also declined from 39% to 34%.