Islam Once Ruled Budapest, Hungary – City Visited by President Prabowo

Budapest has come into the spotlight following President Prabowo Subianto’s European tour, which included stops in Paris, Vienna, and the Hungarian capital. The city’s long Islamic history is evident in its historical sites.

Historically, Hungary fell under the Ottoman Empire’s control in 1522, with Islamic influence lasting around 150 years until Austrian forces reclaimed the region. Today, traces of this legacy remain, including the well-maintained tomb of Gul Baba, a Turkish poet and military commander who died in the Battle of Buda.

Originally a small town, Buda evolved into a significant urban centre with six mosques complete with libraries and Turkish baths, some of which still stand as monuments. After the failed Ottoman siege of Vienna in 1683, Austrian troops took three years to recapture Buda, expelling or forcing Muslims to convert to Catholicism.

In the 19th century, Muslim communities, particularly from Bosnia, returned to Hungary for military duties, establishing a lasting presence. The Hungarian Islamic Community, which includes Muslims of Bosnian descent, maintains a mosque where prayers are conducted without the term ‘church’ in its name.

Community leader Zoltan Bolek described the simple, historic mosque, noting its corridors lined with photos and a dedicated room for the first imam, a Bosnian military officer. Bolek stated, ‘Hungarians are a tolerant society.’

According to Hungary’s Central Statistical Office (KSH) 2011 census, Muslims make up 0.057% of the population, around 5,579 people – double the 2001 figure of 3,201. Most are of Turkish, Arab, or Hungarian origin. The largest mosque, Budapest Mescet or Fehervari Mosque on Fehérvári út 41, serves as the main venue for Friday prayers and Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations.