Muslims Beyond Borders: Communities in Non-Muslim Majority Nations

The global Ummah is diverse, connected not just by faith, but by contributions across every corner of the world; shaping history, enriching cultures and building communities. Today, more than 2 billion Muslims live across every continent, and millions of them reside in countries where they are not the majority.

📌 India – A Living Tapestry

With over 200 million Muslims, India hosts the third-largest Muslim population in the world. From the architectural wonders of the Mughal era — like the Taj Mahal — to contributions in poetry, music, and politics, Muslims have shaped India’s identity for centuries.

📌 China & Russia – Communities on the Silk Road

In China, around 25 million Muslims, including Hui and Uyghur communities, continue traditions rooted in the Silk Road. In Russia, nearly 20 million Muslims live across Tatarstan, Dagestan and beyond, where they have influenced literature, cuisine and spiritual life.

📌 Europe – A Cultural Mosaic

Western Europe is home to vibrant Muslim communities. France has the largest, with around 6.7 million people, largely from North African heritage. Germany’s Muslims, many of Turkish origin, helped build the modern workforce after World War II. In the UK, Muslims have left their mark in sports, business, education and politics.

📌 The Americas – A Rising Voice

In the United States, nearly 4 million Muslims represent one of the most ethnically diverse faith groups, contributing in fields from medicine to technology. Canada’s 2 million Muslims are highly engaged in civic life. Even in countries like Brazil and Argentina, Muslims have long histories rooted in migration and resilience, shaping cultural life in cities like São Paulo and Buenos Aires.

📌 Africa & Beyond

In South Africa, Islam has been present for over 300 years, carried by exiles and enslaved people from Southeast Asia. Muslims there became strong voices in the struggle against apartheid, with figures like Ahmed Kathrada and Imam Abdullah Haron remembered as heroes of justice. Meanwhile, in places like Australia and Japan, Muslim communities, though smaller, are growing steadily and bringing new dimensions of diversity.

✨ A Universal Contribution

Muslims living in non-Muslim majority countries remind us that Islam is not confined to one land, language or culture. It is a global way of life, flourishing in diversity. Their presence enriches societies, not only through faith but also through service, scholarship, art and justice.

As the Qur’an reminds us:

“We made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.” (49:13)