Does mosque location matter? Mosque and Islamic shops in the European context

Purpose Mosques influence the surrounding neighborhoods’ demographic patterns and motivate investors to establish new businesses commercial activities. This study aims explore impact of mosque on emergence businesses. Furthermore, this examines demography neighborhoods in which mosques are located. Design/methodology/approach opts for an exploratory using a retrospective analysis approach mosque’s social functional aspects neighborhoods. The emerging shops around city Liège (Belgium) analyzed logistic regression model. criterion location Islamic was cross-referenced with other variables, such as distance from center, proximity supermarkets shopping malls, mosque, socio-economic variables (immigration, income nationalities, etc.) bus accessibility data. Several zones mosques, ranging 100 1000 m, established examine correlation between types mosque. Five identified: regular trade, light semi-regular heavy Horeca services. identified based on-site observations interviews classified by type. Findings results show that significantly establishment urban space (especially shops). In terms found strong presence “Horeca” (cafes, restaurants snack bars), “light trade” (mainly personal care). Originality/value To best authors’ knowledge, is one few studies fulfill need understand role European cities, focusing its shops.