In the mountainous village of Ghorjomi, near the Turkish border, a unique Muslim community practices its faith in the heart of Georgia a nation known globally for its deep Christian roots. Ghorjomi is part of Upper Adjara, a region where Islam took hold centuries ago when the area was part of the Ottoman Empire. Today, local mosques, such as the one led by imam Tamaz Gorgadze, remain filled during Friday prayers and major Islamic festivals like Eid ul-Adha.
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Despite being citizens of a country that adopted Christianity as early as 319 AD and maintains a national identity tied closely to the Orthodox Church, these Georgian Muslims assert their dual identity both religious and national. They are ethnically Georgian, not part of the larger Azerbaijani Shi’ite Muslim minority that makes up most of Georgia’s Muslim population. These Adjaran Muslims, however, often face derision, being called "Tatars," a pejorative term linked to Muslim minorities in Russia.
Census figures show Muslims make up around 10% of Georgia's 3.6 million population, but ethnically Georgian Muslims are much fewer and more controversial. The Orthodox Church remains an influential force, often seen as the gatekeeper of Georgian heritage and belonging. For many, being truly Georgian is equated with being Christian. Nonetheless, people like Tariel Nakaidze, a Ghorjomi native and leader of the Georgian Muslims Union, argue that their heritage and loyalty to Georgia are just as strong as anyone else’s. He compares current social pressures to the religious suppression during Soviet times, where believers had to conceal their faith. Today, he says, open Muslim identity is often discouraged by a society still dominated by the Orthodox majority.
Islam in Adjara is deeply intertwined with Georgian tradition, evident in the region’s distinct architectural and cultural expressions. Unlike the rest of Georgia, where churches dominate the landscape, Adjaran villages feature wooden mosques adorned with detailed carvings and painted interiors that blend Ottoman and Georgian motifs. These structures, with corrugated iron exteriors built to endure harsh mountain winters, stand as a testament to a unique religious heritage maintained despite centuries of political and cultural pressure.
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While local customs avoid Christian staples like wine and pork, the sense of belonging to the Georgian nation remains strong. Many Muslims in Upper Adjara proudly express both their religious devotion and national patriotism, rejecting the notion that their faith undermines their Georgian identity.
In the bustling Black Sea city of Batumi, 100 kilometers from Ghorjomi, the Muslim presence is even more visible. Tourists from Turkey and the Middle East frequently visit, increasing the size of mosque congregations. Imam Tamaz Geladze, who leads prayers in a makeshift mosque in Batumi, has long sought to expand the mosque to accommodate growing numbers. Despite receiving official permission, bureaucratic delays have stalled progress.
Nevertheless, Geladze acknowledges Georgia's overall religious tolerance and the peaceful coexistence that characterizes much of its history. While challenges persist such as limited mosque space and lingering social prejudices many Muslims in Georgia continue to cherish the nation’s multicultural fabric. For them, Georgia’s strength lies in its diversity, and their commitment to both faith and country is unwavering. As imam Geladze puts it, centuries of coexistence have shown that dialogue and mutual respect can thrive, even in a nation where the majority religion defines national symbolism.
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