Cablegate: Portugal On Engagement with Muslim Community

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #0020 0140812
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140812Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8058

UNCLAS LISBON 000020

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL KPAO PGOV PHUM SCUL SOCI XG PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL ON ENGAGEMENT WITH MUSLIM COMMUNITY

REF: STATE 127215

1. In response to reftel request for information on Muslim
communities, Portugal's Muslim community comprises approximately
50,000 members (less than 1% of Portugal's 11 million population),
the majority of whom are of Indo-Pakistani descent as well as
immigrants from Portugal's former African colonies of Mozambique and
Guinea Bissau. The main mosque is located in Lisbon, with many
"prayer rooms" throughout the country. Portugal's Muslims are not
politically active as "Muslims" and keep a relatively low profile.

2. Embassy Lisbon maintains contact with the Muslim Community in
Portugal through the community's leaders as well as several
religious leaders. Embassy Lisbon maintains the same amount of
involvement in Portugal's Muslim community as with the other
religious communities in Portugal. We plan to continue our contact
in the same manner through 2010 and do not require additional
funding.

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