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Concept
Islam in France
Summary
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%, and France is estimated to have the largest number of Muslims in the Western world, primarily due to migration from Maghreb, West African and Middle Eastern countries. 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.
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 to 34% from 39%.
Septimania and Franco-Ottoman alliance
After their conquest of Hispania and invasion of Gaul, the Arab Umayyads were defeated at the Battle of Tours in 732. Septimania however remained under Arab control until 759.
In 838, the Annales Bertiniani record that Muslims raided Marseille in southern France, plundered its religious houses and took captive both men and women, clerical and lay, as slaves. In 842, the Annales report a raid in the vicinity of Arles. In 869, raiders returned to Arles and captured the archbishop, Roland.
Official source
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