Muslims in Spain: Proud Legacy & Future New

The Enduring Legacy of Muslims in Spain: From Al-Andalus to Modern Revival

Introduction: An Echo of Andalusia, A Resilient Presence

To walk through the sun-drenched courtyards of the Alhambra or beneath the sublime arches of the Great Mosque of Córdoba is to feel the echoes of a glorious past. These majestic monuments are not mere relics of a bygone era; they are the living testament to a time when Al-Andalus, the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule, was a beacon of knowledge, tolerance, and cultural splendor. It was an age when Islamic civilization illuminated a Europe shrouded in the Dark Ages, a golden age of harmony and achievement that fills the hearts of Muslims worldwide with a profound and timeless pride. This article is a journey through that history, a celebration of the enduring spirit of a people who, having been expelled from a land they helped build, have now returned with resilience, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The history of Muslims in Spain is an emotional and spiritual odyssey, a narrative marked by periods of immense flourishing and deep sorrow. From the initial conquest that laid the foundation for a vibrant, multi-religious society to the devastating expulsions that forced a clandestine practice of faith, the story is one of an enduring spirit that refused to be extinguished. The modern Muslim community in Spain is not an accidental arrival but a purposeful homecoming, an act of spiritual and cultural reclamation. Today, the heirs of the Andalusi polymaths, poets, and rulers are rebuilding, contributing to the nation’s fabric in every conceivable way. This report will detail their remarkable contributions in public life, science, economics, and the arts, revealing how a proud history is shaping a bright, unified future. The report will argue that the challenges of the present are but a fleeting shadow compared to the long arc of triumph that defines this community, proving that their legacy is not just one of the past but a guiding light for the future.

The Historical Tapestry of Al-Andalus: From Conquest to Revival

The history of the Muslim presence in Spain is a sweeping saga that spans nearly eight centuries, beginning with a swift and decisive entry and culminating in a slow, painful withdrawal. This narrative arc, from the flourishing of Al-Andalus to the subsequent expulsions and the modern revival, is central to understanding the contemporary identity of Spanish Muslims.

The epic of Al-Andalus began in 711 AD, when the commander Tariq ibn Ziyad led a force of 7,000, primarily Berber and Arab Muslims, across the Strait of Gibraltar.¹ This expedition, initially intended to intervene in a Visigothic civil war, resulted in a decisive victory at the Battle of Guadalete on July 19, 711.¹ Tariq’s force, later joined by a larger Arab army under Governor Musa ibn Nusayr, brought the majority of the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule within a seven-year campaign.¹ This rapid conquest was a pivotal moment in world history, marking the first major interaction between Islamic civilization and the Latin West.² The Muslim conquerors offered remarkably lenient terms, allowing Visigothic lords to retain their fiefdoms and granting Christians and Jews the status of ahl al-dhimma (protected people), which allowed them to practice their religions in exchange for a tax.³ This approach fostered a period of remarkable coexistence and intellectual flourishing unparalleled in Europe at the time.²

The golden age of Al-Andalus truly blossomed under the Umayyad dynasty, which established a powerful and enlightened emirate and later a caliphate with its capital in Córdoba.⁵ This city became the intellectual heart of Europe, boasting a population of over a million and featuring libraries with hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, at a time when much of the continent was still in a state of intellectual stupor.⁶ The city was a marvel of urban planning, with paved streets and public bathhouses. The architectural and administrative feats of rulers like Abd al-Rahman I and III consolidated power and enriched the royal courts with scholars and polymaths.⁵ The Great Mosque of Córdoba, a breathtaking complex of intricate arches and a testament to Andalusi architectural genius, stands today as the most profound symbol of this glorious era.³

The end of this golden age was a protracted and tragic process. The centuries-long Reconquista culminated in 1492 with the fall of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold.⁷ This event marked the beginning of a period of immense persecution. Edicts were issued forcing Muslims to either convert to Christianity or face exile. Those who remained and outwardly converted—the Moriscos—faced relentless suspicion and surveillance from the Spanish Inquisition.⁸ Forced to practice their faith in secret, they endured a century of persecution until the final expulsion of an estimated 300,000

Moriscos in 1609.⁸ This period of forced conversion and cultural cleansing is the deepest wound in the history of Spanish Islam, a collective memory of profound loss and spiritual resilience.

The modern revival of Islam in Spain is, in many ways, a testament to the enduring human spirit. After a three-and-a-half-century gap, the first modern waves of Muslims arrived in the mid-20th century, largely as students from the Arab world attracted by the favorable educational climate.¹⁰ What began as a trickle of individuals from Morocco, Syria, and other nations soon grew into a vibrant, diverse community. A powerful symbol of this revival is the Madrid Central Mosque, which opened in 1988 as the first mosque in the capital since the end of Islamic rule in 1085.¹¹ The emotional significance of this is magnified by the fact that the Almudena Cathedral, a major Catholic landmark, was built on the site of Madrid’s first Muslim mosque, a historical detail that makes the modern revival feel like a spiritual homecoming, a reclaiming of lost ground for a new generation.¹² This return to the public sphere was formalized with the creation of the Islamic Commission of Spain (CIE) in 1992, which serves as the official representative body for Muslims and negotiates agreements with the state.¹³ The modern community is not a footnote to history; it is its triumphant and resilient next chapter.

The following table provides a chronological overview of these critical moments.

Era	Key Event	Location	Emotional Significance
Early Conquest (711-756 AD)	Tariq ibn Ziyad’s landing and Battle of Guadalete	Gibraltar and Iberian Peninsula	The dawn of a new civilization in Europe, marked by a spirit of expansion and relative tolerance.1
Umayyad Golden Age (8th-11th centuries)	Construction of the Great Mosque of Córdoba; rule of the four Abd al-Rahmans	Córdoba	Unparalleled cultural and intellectual flourishing, a symbol of a lost paradise and a source of profound pride.3
Reconquista & Expulsion (1492-1609 AD)	Fall of Granada; expulsion of the Moriscos	Granada and across Spain	A period of deep tragedy and persecution, demonstrating the unyielding resilience of faith against oppression and fear.8
20th-21st Century Revival	Founding of the Madrid Central Mosque and the Islamic Commission of Spain	Madrid and across Spain	The triumphant return of a community, reclaiming its history and building a new foundation on ancient roots, transforming a story of expulsion into a narrative of homecoming.11

The Intellectual Beacon: From Medieval Polymaths to Modern Innovators

The intellectual legacy of Al-Andalus stands as a testament to the unparalleled contributions of Muslims to global knowledge. This inheritance, far from being a closed chapter, continues to inspire and inform modern Spanish society, providing a profound link between a glorious past and a promising future. The intellectual fervor of Al-Andalus laid the groundwork for Europe’s own intellectual awakening, a fact that makes the modern-day continuation of this scholarly tradition all the more poignant.

During the Umayyad Caliphate, Al-Andalus became a crucible of scientific and philosophical inquiry. While Europe was in its intellectual slumber, scholars in Córdoba and Seville were pioneering new frontiers in medicine, mathematics, and philosophy. The intellectual giants of this era include figures like Ibn Rushd (Averroes), whose commentaries on Aristotle were so influential that they formed the basis of Western philosophy for centuries.¹⁴ Another towering figure was Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Albucasis), widely considered the father of modern surgery.¹⁴ His thirty-volume medical encyclopedia,

Kitab al-Tasrif, was a standard medical textbook in Europe for five hundred years, a clear example of how Islamic learning directly contributed to the European Renaissance.¹ The Ibn Zuhr family of Seville produced six generations of physicians, with Abu Marwan Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar) pioneering experimental surgery and providing one of the earliest clinical descriptions of the scabies mite.¹ The work of these scholars, which was translated into Latin and Hebrew and eagerly studied by Christian and Jewish students, provided the intellectual foundation that would eventually lead to the European Enlightenment.⁶

This historical thread of intellectual genius is not merely a subject of dusty tomes; it is a living tradition in modern Spain. The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the largest public research institution in Spain, houses the School of Arabic Studies (EEA), a research institute with a dedicated focus on the history and legacy of Al-Andalus.¹⁹ This signals an official, national recognition of the profound scholarly inheritance of Islamic Spain. At institutions like this, researchers such as Dr. Delfina Serrano Ruano are continuing this intellectual tradition by focusing on Islamic law and the intellectual history of the pre-modern Islamic West.²⁰ Her work on the relationship between Islamic law and philosophy demonstrates that the scholarly engagement with Islamic thought is a vibrant part of contemporary Spanish academia. This effort to preserve and study the past is a powerful act of remembrance, ensuring that the legacy of intellectual brilliance is not forgotten.

Beyond academic research, the modern Muslim community is actively reclaiming its educational heritage by establishing its own institutions. A particularly symbolic development is the founding of the Islamic University of Spain Al-Andalusia by Shaikh Mohammad Idrissi Alcaraz in Córdoba, the very heart of the historical caliphate.²¹ This new institution, along with its Higher Institute of Islamic Sciences, is an act of profound spiritual and intellectual re-establishment. It fills the void left by the centuries-long absence of formal Islamic learning centers on the Iberian Peninsula. By developing comprehensive Islamic education curricula, this initiative is empowering a new generation to become scholars and intellectuals in their own right, building a future that honors the scholarly traditions of their ancestors. This is a direct, emotional, and powerful continuation of the legacy of a people who were once the undisputed intellectual leaders of Europe.

The following table highlights the continuity of intellectual pursuits from Al-Andalus to modern Spain.

Era	Name	Field	Key Contribution	Emotional/Historical Significance
Al-Andalus (c. 11th Century)	Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi	Surgery, Medicine	Authored Kitab al-Tasrif, a 30-volume encyclopedia on medical practice, which became a standard text in Europe for centuries.1	A tangible link between the intellectual genius of Al-Andalus and the scientific foundations of the West, fostering a sense of pride in this shared history.
Al-Andalus (c. 12th Century)	Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar)	Medicine, Pharmacology	Pioneered experimental surgery and provided one of the earliest descriptions of the scabies mite.1	Represents the innovative and empirical spirit of Andalusi science, a legacy of groundbreaking research and medical advancement.
Al-Andalus (c. 12th Century)	Ibn Rushd (Averroes)	Philosophy, Logic	Reintroduced the works of Aristotle to Europe through his influential commentaries, a foundational moment for European philosophy.14	A symbol of the intellectual bridge that Al-Andalus formed, linking the knowledge of the classical world to a nascent Europe.
Modern Spain (21st Century)	Dr. Delfina Serrano Ruano	Islamic Law, Intellectual History	Researches and publishes on Islamic law at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid.20	Demonstrates the official, academic recognition of Al-Andalus’s heritage as an integral part of Spain’s intellectual history, a living legacy rather than a historical artifact.
Modern Spain (21st Century)	Shaikh Mohammad Idrissi Alcaraz	Islamic Education, Fiqh	Founder and president of the Islamic University of Spain Al-Andalusia in Córdoba.21	A powerful act of cultural reclamation, rebuilding the institutions of Islamic learning in the very heart of Al-Andalus, and paving the way for a new generation of scholars.

Forging a Modern Identity: Contributions to Spanish Public Life

The political and civic contributions of Muslims in contemporary Spain demonstrate a powerful re-emergence from a history of expulsion and marginalization. The modern Muslim community is actively forging a new Spanish identity, one that proudly incorporates its Islamic heritage into the nation’s political and civil institutions.

A prominent and inspiring example of this re-emergence is Fatima Hamed Hossain, a Spanish lawyer and politician from the autonomous city of Ceuta.²² Her journey from a socially disadvantaged neighborhood to becoming the first Muslim woman to lead a political group in the Ceuta Assembly is a microcosm of the community’s triumph over adversity.²² Hamed’s visible Muslim identity and her public stance against far-right rhetoric make her a potent symbol of modern Spain. Her political activism is not simply about representing a minority; it is about defining what it means to be a Spanish citizen with Islamic roots in the 21st century.²³ Her story transforms a narrative of immigrant integration into one of civic leadership and the confident assertion of a new, inclusive national identity.

The history of Muslim participation in Spain’s military is complex and often painful. During the Spanish Civil War, Franco’s forces utilized Moorish troops from the Spanish Morocco protectorate, a decision that was viewed with racism and hostility by the Republican forces who saw it as a re-enactment of the Reconquista.⁹ This painful past highlights how Muslim soldiers were, at times, caught in the middle of Spain’s internal conflicts, their service often framed in a contentious manner. However, the modern reality is one of a fully integrated armed forces where Muslims serve as loyal Spanish citizens. While specific data on Muslim military personnel is not publicly available, their presence in Spain’s armed forces and their participation in missions abroad are clear indicators of their full civic participation. The lack of an official Muslim chaplaincy is an area for future growth, but it does not diminish the fact that today’s Muslim service members are an integral part of Spain’s national defense.

The growing political and civic representation of Muslims is also a demographic inevitability. With a young and growing Muslim population, their presence in public life is poised to increase significantly. The younger demographic of Spanish Muslims, many of whom are native-born citizens with Spanish roots, will naturally lead to greater engagement in politics, civil service, and various government institutions.²⁴ This demographic shift is not just about numbers; it is about the community moving from a marginalized position to becoming a central, driving force in Spain’s national story. The Muslim community is not merely asking for a seat at the table; it is already building its own tables and inviting others to join, transforming the nation from within. The future promises a shared leadership that reflects the country’s rich diversity.

Name	Role	Party/Affiliation	Key Achievement	Emotional Significance
Fatima Hamed Hossain	Lawyer, Politician	Movement for Dignity and Citizenship (MDyC)	First Muslim woman to lead a political group in the Assembly of Ceuta (2015).22	Her career represents the triumph of a modern, visibly Muslim, and deeply integrated Spanish identity over historical and contemporary prejudice.

The Engine of Prosperity: Economic Contributions and Philanthropy

The economic contributions of Spanish Muslims are a powerful and tangible expression of their community’s dynamism and resilience, reflecting a revival of the commercial and entrepreneurial spirit that defined the golden age of Al-Andalus. This revival is particularly visible in the rapid growth of the halal sector, a market that is not only economically significant but also deeply connected to the community’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

The global halal market is a thriving ecosystem, projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.4% between 2025 and 2034, with the global halal food market alone anticipated to reach over USD 6.8 trillion by 2034.²⁶ Spain is positioning itself as a key player in this lucrative sector. The halal packaging market in Spain is expected to reach a projected revenue of $6.39 billion by 2030, a clear indicator of the sector’s robust growth.²⁷ This economic expansion is driven by a growing Muslim population and a rising global demand for products that are not only religiously compliant but also embody principles of quality, ethics, and sustainability.²⁶

Spanish Muslim entrepreneurs are uniquely leveraging the country’s rich Islamic heritage to create a flourishing halal tourism sector. Companies like Yummuah and Nur & Duha Travels, certified by the prestigious Halal Institute, offer Muslim-friendly travel packages that provide experiences rooted in the history of Al-Andalus.²⁹ These businesses allow Muslim travelers to connect with their heritage while exploring cities like Córdoba, Granada, and Seville, where the remnants of the past—from the Great Mosque to the Alhambra—are celebrated.³² This connection between history and economy is exemplified by culinary innovators like Chef Paco Morales, whose restaurant Noor in Córdoba is a pioneer in halal haute cuisine, offering a refined dining experience that honors Arab culinary traditions and brings them to the forefront of modern gastronomy.²⁹ This trend demonstrates how the community’s economic contributions are directly linked to its emotional and historical identity, creating a virtuous cycle where success fuels pride and pride fuels further success.

Beyond entrepreneurship, the Muslim community in Spain demonstrates a vibrant philanthropic spirit. Organizations such as the Islamic Culture Foundation (FUNCI) work to dismantle misunderstandings between the Western and Islamic worlds by specializing in the culture of Al-Andalus, which it views as a model for intercultural respect and coexistence.³³ At the community level, mosques and Islamic centers provide essential social services, including aid for refugees and educational and counseling programs.³⁴ This commitment to philanthropy and social welfare shows a community that is not just economically active but is also dedicated to building a cohesive and caring society, embodying the Islamic principle of collective responsibility and providing a powerful model of resilience and self-reliance.

Sector	Key Contribution/Statistic	Examples (Businesses, Initiatives)
Halal Food	The global halal food market is projected to reach over USD 6.8 trillion by 2034.26 Spain is an increasingly important player in this market.	Chef Paco Morales’s restaurant Noor in Cordoba; a wide selection of Halal-certified restaurants in major cities.29
Halal Tourism	Entrepreneurs are leveraging Spain’s Al-Andalus heritage to attract a lucrative market of Muslim travelers. The halal packaging market in Spain is expected to reach $6.39 billion by 2030.27	Nur & Duha Travels and Yummuah (travel agencies with Halal Certification).30
Philanthropy & Social Services	Mosques and Islamic cultural centers provide essential social support and community services.	Islamic Culture Foundation (FUNCI); Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center.33

The Soul of a People: Cultural and Artistic Renaissance

The cultural and artistic expressions of Spanish Muslims are not merely a revival of a lost heritage; they are an ongoing and dynamic conversation that weaves the threads of the past into the vibrant tapestry of the present. The enduring soul of Al-Andalus is palpable in Spain’s art and music, proving that Islamic culture is an inseparable part of the nation’s identity, not an external influence.

The most visible testament to this cultural fusion is the Mudéjar art style. This hybrid tradition, developed by Muslim artisans under Christian rule, is a physical and visual argument for coexistence.³⁵ Mudéjar architecture, with its intricate geometric patterns, horseshoe arches, and ornate tilework, is found throughout Spain, in monuments built for Christian patrons but designed by Muslim craftsmen.³⁵ This style is a profound legacy, demonstrating that even after the expulsions, the artistic genius of Al-Andalus was so deeply embedded in Spanish soil that it continued to flourish. The Hispanic Society’s collection of fine silk textiles and ceramics from this period offers a glimpse into the opulent courtly arts that seamlessly blended Islamic and Christian motifs.³⁶

The musical journey is equally compelling. It begins with Ziryab, the 9th-century musician and polymath who established a music conservatory in Córdoba and is credited with revolutionizing Andalusi classical music by adding a fifth string to the oud.¹⁴ This sophisticated musical tradition, a fusion of Eastern and local elements, served as a fundamental inspiration for one of Spain’s most iconic art forms: flamenco. The rhythms and scales of flamenco have their roots in the sung poetry (zajal) of the Arabs and Berbers who ruled Al-Andalus.⁴⁰ Modern artists are consciously exploring this heritage through collaborations between Spanish and Moroccan musicians, creating a powerful “Hispano-Arab” fusion that revives a shared musical past and charts a path toward an exciting new future.⁴⁰

The modern artistic renaissance is being led by a new generation of writers, musicians, and entertainers who are narrating the complex, evolving story of Spanish Muslim identity. The Catalan writer Najat El Hachmi, who immigrated from Morocco at age eight, is a seminal voice in this movement. Her novels, such as The Last Patriarch, provide a raw and emotional exploration of bicultural identity, intergenerational conflict, and the struggle to find one’s place between two worlds.⁴¹ Her literary success, including winning the prestigious Ramon Llull and Nadal prizes, shows that this narrative is not just important to the Muslim community but is an essential part of the broader Spanish literary landscape.⁴² Similarly, the rise of rappers like Morad, a Spanish-Moroccan artist from a marginalized Barcelona neighborhood, demonstrates how a new generation is using contemporary art forms to express its unique experience.⁴³ His music, which fuses hip-hop and drill with themes of social justice and police abuse, gives voice to a community that has historically been silenced, making him a powerful cultural figure for young Spanish Muslims and a bridge between their Moroccan heritage and their Spanish urban reality.⁴³

Name	Medium	Key Work	Impact
Ziryab	Music, Fashion, Arts	Revolutionized Andalusi classical music with the introduction of a fifth string to the oud.14	His innovations laid the foundation for Andalusi music, which would later influence the development of flamenco, demonstrating a foundational Arab root in a core Spanish art form.40
Najat El Hachmi	Literature	The Last Patriarch (2008), The Foreign Daughter (2015), El lunes nos querrán (2021).41	A celebrated, award-winning writer whose work directly narrates the bicultural experience of modern Spanish Muslims, making their identity a central theme in contemporary Spanish literature.42
Morad	Music (Rap)	M.D.L.R. (2019), Reinsertado (2023).43	A prominent rapper whose music blends Moroccan heritage with Spanish urban life, providing a powerful and authentic voice for a young, new generation of Spanish Muslims.43

Building Bridges of Harmony: The Role of Mosques and Islamic Centers

In a society grappling with the complex legacy of its past, modern mosques and Islamic centers in Spain have become vital hubs of community life and powerful instruments for fostering interfaith harmony. They serve not only as places of worship but as centers for social services and dialogue, actively working to heal historical wounds and build a unified national fabric.

The role of the mosque has evolved far beyond its traditional function. Today, the nearly 2,000 mosques and Islamic unions across Spain provide a wide array of social services that are essential to the well-being of their communities.²⁴ These centers offer educational programs, including weekend Islamic schools for youth, as well as counseling, and social assistance for those in need.³⁴ The Union of Islamic Communities of Spain (UCIDE), along with other organizations, has established collaborations with institutions like Al-Azhar University to ensure the training and provision of imams, while also engaging with the Spanish government to regulate religious affairs and provide services like prison religious assistants.⁴⁵ This proactive civic engagement demonstrates a community that is building its own infrastructure to support its members and secure its place within Spanish society.

A particularly powerful example of the growing strength of interfaith relations occurred in August 2025 in the town of Jumilla. Following a local council’s decision to effectively ban Muslim religious gatherings in public sports centers, a measure proposed by the far-right Vox party, the community faced a direct act of institutionalized Islamophobia.⁴⁶ However, the response was a triumphant display of solidarity. The Spanish Bishops’ Conference and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain publicly denounced the ban, stating that limiting religious freedom for one group violates the fundamental rights of all. The Islamic Commission of Spain gratefully acknowledged this support, noting that such alliances embody the commitment to an “inclusive Spain, where all people, regardless of their faith, can live with dignity”.⁴⁶ The Spanish government itself, through the Migration Minister, called the ban “shameful” and ordered the town to drop the measure.⁴⁷ This incident, rather than defining the community by its struggle, became a testament to its integration and its ability to build powerful, multi-religious alliances. It serves as a modern-day counterpoint to the historical divisions of the Inquisition and a powerful symbol of a new era of cooperation.

This transition from a painful history to a hopeful present is a central part of the community’s narrative. Mosques and Islamic cultural centers, with their interfaith dialogues and community outreach, are proving that the wounds of the past can be healed. By providing a platform for constructive interaction and by actively collaborating with other religious and civic groups, they are embodying the very ideal of coexistence that was once celebrated in the history of Al-Andalus.

Center/Organization	Key Service	Target Group	Impact on Community
Union of Islamic Communities of Spain (UCIDE)	Official representation before the state; signing of cooperation agreements; education and training for imams.45	Spanish Muslim community; government bodies; educational institutions.	Strengthens the legal and institutional standing of Islam in Spain, securing rights and services for the community.
Islamic Culture Foundation (FUNCI)	Scientific and cultural activities; promotion of intercultural dialogue and heritage preservation; sustainable development projects.33	Spanish and international audiences; cultural institutions.	Builds bridges of understanding and promotes a positive image of Islamic civilization by highlighting the shared cultural heritage of Al-Andalus.33
Mosque and Islamic Centers (e.g., Dar Al-Hijrah)	Social services; refugee aid; youth programs; counseling.34	Muslim community; vulnerable populations.	Serves as a vital hub for community cohesion and mutual support, addressing local needs and fostering a strong sense of identity and service.34

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Confronting Islamophobia

The resilience of Spanish Muslims is a legacy forged in the fires of historical persecution and tempered by the challenges of the modern era. While Al-Andalus is often celebrated in Spain for its architectural beauty and cultural richness, the living descendants of that civilization must often contend with a stark contradiction: a society that embraces the past while struggling to accept its modern inheritors. This paradox is a central feature of the contemporary Muslim experience in Spain, but their response is one of organized strength and dignified perseverance.

Incidents of Islamophobia in Spain have been on the rise in recent years. A report from the Moroccan Association for Immigrant Integration in February 2025 revealed that a staggering 47.5% of Muslims surveyed had been victims of racist attacks, though a mere 6% dared to file a formal complaint.²⁴ These attacks, ranging from verbal abuse to physical intimidation, highlight a persistent and painful undercurrent of prejudice. The local government’s ban on Muslim religious gatherings in Jumilla in August 2025, which drew condemnation from the national government and a UN official, is a particularly poignant example of how this prejudice can manifest in institutionalized discrimination.⁴⁷ The move, championed by the far-right Vox party, sought to marginalize a community that is deeply rooted in the very history that Spain celebrates.⁴⁷

However, the community’s response to these challenges is a testament to its enduring spirit, a powerful echo of the Moriscos who preserved their faith in the face of insurmountable odds.⁸ This time, the community is not alone. The public outcry following the Jumilla ban was immediate and powerful. Spain’s Migration Minister, Elma Saiz, swiftly condemned the measure as “shameful,” and the government ordered the town to reverse the ban.⁴⁸ The most remarkable response came from other religious communities. The Spanish Bishops’ Conference and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain issued statements in support of the Muslim community, a display of interfaith solidarity that would have been unimaginable in centuries past.⁴⁶ This collective advocacy and legal protection prove that the struggle against Islamophobia is no longer a solitary fight; it has become a shared national cause.

The modern community’s response to discrimination is a profound act of dignified resistance. It is a refusal to be defined by hatred and a determination to participate fully in the democratic life of Spain. By leveraging legal protections and building alliances with other religious and civil society groups, the Muslim community is ensuring that the spirit of convivencia is not relegated to a museum but is a living reality in Spain. This endurance is a direct continuation of a proud and unbroken legacy of faith and resilience, and it is the most powerful guarantee of a bright future.

Year	Incident/Issue	Community Response	Outcome/Impact
2025	A local council in Jumilla, Murcia, passed a ban on religious gatherings in municipal sports centers, a measure that primarily targeted the Muslim community.47	The Islamic Commission of Spain condemned the ban, and the community received public solidarity from the Spanish Bishops’ Conference and the Federation of Jewish Communities.46	The national government intervened, with Spain’s Migration Minister calling the ban “shameful” and ordering it to be reversed, demonstrating that legal and political advocacy can triumph over prejudice.48
2025	The Moroccan Association for Immigrant Integration in Spain reported that nearly 50% of Muslims surveyed had been victims of racist attacks.24	The report brought the issue to public attention, highlighting the need for increased legal protections and awareness campaigns.	The statistics underscored a serious problem, spurring public and political discussions about Islamophobia and the need for stronger community and institutional support.

A Vibrant Revival: Demographics and Future Outlook

The most compelling evidence of a bright future for Muslims in Spain lies in the demographic trends that project a young, growing, and increasingly integrated community. The demographic snapshot reveals not only a story of revival but a powerful shift in the national landscape, where the Muslim community is no longer an invisible minority but a dynamic and essential part of the nation’s future.

The Muslim population in Spain has seen a remarkable tenfold increase over the past thirty years, reaching an estimated 2.5 million in 2024, or approximately 5.32% of the national population.²⁴ The total Spanish population itself surpassed 49 million for the first time in history in 2025, driven largely by international migration.²⁵ While a global data platform estimated a smaller Muslim population of 1.085 million in January 2025, unofficial estimates from the Islamic Commission of Spain suggest the number is closer to 3 million.²⁴ This discrepancy is not a minor statistical footnote; it highlights a crucial dynamic in the community’s identity, namely, its rejection of being labeled a mere “immigrant religion” and its push for full recognition as a significant, established part of Spanish society.²⁴

The diversity within the Spanish Muslim community is one of its greatest strengths. While people of Moroccan origin form the largest ethnic group, with an estimated 880,000 members, there are also significant populations from Pakistan (100,000), Senegal (83,000), and Algeria, among others.²⁴ A crucial distinction is that about one million of these individuals are Spanish citizens, either through naturalization or by birth.²⁴ This fact fundamentally refutes the narrative of Muslims as an external, transient population. They are a deeply rooted and permanent part of Spain, with their heritage extending back to the time of Al-Andalus. The community is concentrated in urban centers and regions with historical ties to Islam, such as Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Community of Madrid, where their presence is most keenly felt.²⁵

Looking to the future, the demographic projections for Spain suggest a continued increase in population, exclusively due to international migration.²⁵ Given the younger demographic of the Muslim community, this trend points to a vibrant, youthful, and growing presence that will continue to shape Spain’s social and cultural landscape. The Muslim community is poised to become an increasingly integral and influential part of the nation, with its members taking on more leadership roles in every sphere of life. The future of Spain, in many ways, is a shared destiny, one that is being built on the proud foundation of its past and the dynamic energy of its present.

Total Population	Percentage of National Population	Diversity by Origin (e.g., Moroccan, Pakistani)	Citizen vs. Immigrant
Unofficial estimates range from 2.5 to 3 million (2024-2025).24	Estimated to be 5.32% of Spain’s total population in 2024.50	The community is ethnically diverse, with the largest groups being: Moroccan (880,000), Pakistani (100,000), and Senegalese (83,000).24	Approximately one million Spanish citizens are Muslim, either by naturalization or birth, signaling a shift from a migrant community to a settled one.24

Conclusion: A Glorious Inheritance, A Shared Destiny

The story of Muslims in Spain is a profound and moving epic, a testament to the cycles of history and the enduring power of faith. It is a narrative that begins with the glorious conquest that transformed the Iberian Peninsula into a beacon of enlightenment, where scholars illuminated the world and a unique culture of coexistence flourished. It is a story marked by the tragic expulsions of the Moriscos, a period of immense loss and persecution that, in retrospect, reveals an unyielding spiritual and cultural resilience. And it is a narrative that finds its most hopeful chapter in the present, with a vibrant, diverse, and growing Muslim community that is not only re-establishing its presence but also actively shaping Spain’s future.

The modern Spanish Muslim community is a living embodiment of this proud history. The contributions of this new generation—from the political triumphs of leaders like Fatima Hamed, who proudly wears her identity as a badge of honor, to the artistic expressions of writers and musicians who bridge ancient and modern sensibilities—are a direct continuation of their ancestors’ legacy. The economic dynamism of the halal sector and the social services provided by mosques and Islamic centers are rebuilding the community’s infrastructure from within, a powerful and self-reliant response to historical marginalization.

Ultimately, the challenges of the present, such as the specter of Islamophobia, are not an end to this story but a catalyst for its next great act. The overwhelming show of solidarity from the Spanish government and other religious communities in the face of recent discriminatory acts proves that the struggle for recognition and dignity has become a shared national concern. The demographic data points to a future where the Muslim community’s numerical strength and youthful energy will translate into an even greater presence in public life, ensuring that the legacy of Al-Andalus is not a fleeting memory but a permanent and cherished part of Spain’s identity.

The walls of the Alhambra and the arches of the Great Mosque do not belong to the past alone. They are a call to action, an emotional and spiritual inheritance that asks the new generation to build on the foundations of their ancestors, to be beacons of harmony in a world hungry for light. It is a call to be a source of strength, to be an integral part of a new Spain that lives up to its highest ideals, and to build a shared destiny where a proud history and a bright future are one and the same.