 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(April 2021) |
 Sayeed Mohammed an Indian Odia educationist | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 911,670 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India (Odisha) | |
| Religions | |
 Islam | |
| Languages | |
| Majority:-Odia & Urdu Minority:- Hindi |
Odia Muslims are a community of people hailing from the Indian state of Odisha who follow Islam. They mostly descend from indigenous embraces to Islam along with a small proportion that migrated from northern India.
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2025) |
It is uncertain when Islam first arrived in Odisha. It is believed that the first significant Islamic presence dates from the invasion of the Bengal general, Kalapahad. Commanding the army of Sultan Sulaiman Khan Karrani, the Sultan of Bengal, Kalapahad defeated Raja Mukund Deva of Cuttack in 1568 CE. [1]
Karrani brought with him Muslim soldiers who settled down in Odisha, however their number was very few.[ citation needed ] Later migration continued under Mughal as well as the Nawab of Bengal's rule. The majority of these were traders or clergy, sent to preside over the courts, both secular and Islamic. [2] Conversions seemed to have mainly occurred from the 16th century onwards. [3]
Islam has had a very slow rate of growth in Odisha even during the Muslim rule as there had never been any major Muslim missionary work. The current population of Muslims in Odisha is 911,670 (2011 census), roughly 2.2% of the total population. The city of Bhadrak has the maximum number of Muslims as a percentage of the total population (about 35%). [4] [ failed verification ]
Most Odisha Muslims are Sunni while a small minority are Shia, belonging to such groups as the Khoja and Dawoodi Bohra. [3]
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The figures indicate percentage of Muslims within the districts: [11]
The majority of the Muslim population in Odisha are adherents of Sunni Islam, predominantly following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. Within the Sunni community, there are notable subgroups such as the Barelvi and Deobandi movements. These groups are primarily concentrated in urban centres like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, reflecting historical influences and migration patterns. [12]
A smaller segment of the Muslim community in Odisha adheres to Shia Islam. Communities such as the Khoja and Dawoodi Bohra have established their presence in key urban areas, contributing to the state's religious diversity. [13]
The Ahmadiyya community, though numerically smaller, actively engages in interfaith outreach and community initiatives. For instance, in regions like Soro, Ahmadi Muslims have participated in social and religious activities, underscoring their role in the local socio-religious landscape. [14]
Historically, Sufi traditions have significantly influenced Odisha's cultural and spiritual heritage. The establishment of dargahs (shrines) and the integration of syncretic practices into local customs highlight the enduring impact of Sufi mysticism in the region. Although Sufi practices are not classified as a separate denomination, they are interwoven with both Sunni and Shia traditions in Odisha. [15]
Jamia Islamia Markazul Uloom, a centre of Deobandi Islamic study in Odisha, was founded in 1946 by Muhammad Ismail Katki, the third president of Jamiat Ulema Odisha. [16] Important Barelvi Madrasa are located at Bhadrak.
