Muslims in Polish history – Gdańsk, Kruszyniany
Fact of the Polish figure „The birth of Zionism – Chibbat Syjon”
Part of the „The emancipation of minorities” topic
Muslims of Poland are very few these days – most of them are the Tatar people of Podlachia (Podlasie), forcefully settled in that land by Lithuanian Duke Vytautas in late 14th century. Over years and generations, they grew attached to their new homeland. Maintaining their beliefs, they also remained loyal to Poland, serving in military as excellent and appreciated cavalrymen. In the times of the Second Polish Republic, the Polish Muslims (predominantly Tatars) made an attempt to create a common movement that could represent them. Its fruition came with creation of their legally recognized religious organization – the peak of their activity could be witnessed on 1st January 1938, during the First All-Polish Muslim Congress. Alas, after the Second World War the movement was strongly hindered due to emigration of its many prominent members. Nonetheless, small communities of Tatars exist in Northeastern Poland to this day.
