Muslims are settling in southern Spain, seeking a sense of belonging and a connection to the region's rich Islamic history.
A train travels from Malaga toward the mountains of the Guadalhorce Valley. Whitewashed villages sit along the hillsides. This region carries deep echoes of an Islamic past. Place names like Aljaima and Alora suggest this rich history.
Henrietta Szovati and her husband, Ajmal Masroor, live in these mountains. They are transforming an old farmhouse into the House of Andalus. The project connects people with Spain’s Islamic history and nature.
Henrietta finds community here more easily than in Britain. She feels like an outsider in the UK. In Spain, she feels like a neighbor first. She builds relationships with locals despite different beliefs.
One neighbor, Maria, discusses faith openly with Henrietta. They common values like kindness. These small, daily interactions make Spain feel like home. The couple wants to this sense of peace.
The project faces real challenges. The couple invested much of their savings into the land. They also manage practical issues like water usage and solar power. Henrietta admits the work is difficult and expensive.
Still, they plan to add a garden with plants mentioned in the Quran. They host volunteers from around the world. The goal is to create a welcoming space for everyone.
History remains a major draw for many Muslims moving to Andalucia. They see the region as a place where Islam once thrived in Europe. This helps them feel rooted in European history.
Other Muslims have lived in Granada for decades. Pioneers like Munira Mendonca helped build a permanent mosque there. These communities grew slowly through hard work and persistence.
Today, people from many backgrounds live in mountain towns like Orgiva. They seek a simpler, more communal way of life. They find that shared warmth matters more than religious labels.
Henrietta hopes her farm encourages people to reflect on their own lives. She knows the project will take many years to finish. She continues to build a legacy of faith and connection.