Andorra Muslim Leader Calls for Dedicated Mosque Amid Community Growth

Salih Salhi, president of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Andorra, has called for a dedicated mosque to accommodate the Principality's growing Muslim community, which now numbers around 2,000 people.

Speaking at the centre in Terravella, Salhi described the group as diverse, including Muslims from Morocco—the largest contingent—Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, Senegal, Egypt, Spain, and even Andorran nationals. The community spans three generations and is approaching a fourth, encompassing families, youth, children, and elderly members. "The majority of Muslims settled here hold Andorran passports," he said, emphasising their deep integration into local society.

The current facilities in Terravella and another in Baixa del Molí are insufficient, particularly during Ramadan when attendance surges. "We sometimes can't fit everyone," Salhi noted. He envisions a new mosque that would serve not only for prayers but also as a cultural, social, and educational hub. High property prices have thwarted efforts to secure a larger space or land, and the community covers all rental and operational costs through monthly contributions, without seeking government aid so far.

Salhi praised Andorra's openness and the positive relations with authorities. The government and communes routinely grant access to pavilions for major celebrations like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as well as the slaughterhouse for sacrificial rites. Minor online controversies, such as debates over the hijab, occasionally arise but do not reflect street-level prejudice. "Wearing the veil is a free choice—no one is forced," he stressed, pointing out that visitors from other countries contribute to such perceptions.

The community has long requested a multiconfessional cemetery, a need shared with Andorra's Jewish population, to allow local burials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andorran Muslims with citizenship were still transported to Spain or France for burial. "Andorra is my country, alive or dead," Salhi said. "Why should I be taken elsewhere when I die? I want to be buried near my family."

He also advocated for enhanced consular services in Andorra to ease bureaucracy for non-citizen Muslims, who currently travel to Spain or France—often facing delays due to poor road conditions. Younger generations born locally show stronger cultural ties, though religious observance varies. Salhi affirmed that practising Islam remains straightforward in Andorra, even during Ramadan's fasting and prayers.