<P> Islam was a widespread religion in what is now Spain and Portugal for nine centuries , beginning with the Umayyad conquest of Hispania and ending ( at least overtly ) with its prohibition by the modern Spanish state in the mid-16th century and the expulsion of the Moriscos in the early 17th century . Although a significant proportion of Moriscos returned to Spain or avoided expulsion through various means , and the decree never affected the country 's large enslaved Muslim population , the indigenous practice of Islam had faded into obscurity by the 19th century . </P>
<P> Islam was a widespread religion in what is now Spain and Portugal for nine centuries , beginning with the Umayyad conquest of Hispania and ending ( at least overtly ) with its prohibition by the modern Spanish state in the mid-16th century and the expulsion of the Moriscos in the early 17th century . Although a significant proportion of Moriscos returned to Spain or avoided expulsion through various means , and the decree never affected the country 's large enslaved Muslim population , the indigenous practice of Islam had faded into obscurity by the 19th century . </P>
which country had a large muslim population for almost 800 years
which country had a large muslim population for almost 800 years
Spain
Spain