At VU Amsterdam we offer a selection of religious communities (churches, mosques, temples etc..) to students who are looking for a religious community outside VU Amsterdam.
Each of the following communities or places of worship has been selected as welcoming and safe for our international student community.
This international church was founded in 1994 and grew into a welcoming community for many people from all nations. This church is engaged in social justice, in Amsterdam but also internationally.
Sundays from 10.00 - 13.00 hrs
Wednesdays from 20.00 - 22.00 hrs (Prayer Meeting)
Crossroads is an international church that gathers in Amstelveen. From all over the region of Amsterdam people join this dynamic church that is easily accessible to all internationals.
Sundays from 9:30-10:45 and 11:00-12:15
citypastor@pga-b.nl, 0613216486
Small but young and inclusive community. Informal and inspiring services. Diverse in age and background.
Address: Keizer Karelweg 94b, Amstelveen.
The Anglican Church has several locations in Amsterdam. A beautiful example is the historical church at the Groenburgwal in the city centre at the canals. It's a warm and welcoming church in which you can engage easily with any background.
Sundays from 10.00 - 11.15 hrs
Wednesdays from 15.00 - 17.00 hrs open for visitors
An international Catholic community in the Center of Amsterdam. This beautiful church offers Gregorian mass in English, Latin mass, and one for the Italian community of Amsterdam.
Sundays at 18.00 mass in English with hymns
Trirathna offers a range of activities around meditation and Buddhism. The activities are both aimed at people who are new to both subjects, and at those with more experience in these areas. Wednesday evenings are for introduction sessions. All meditation activities are also accessible to English speakers.
https://www.bcatriratna.nl/activities-for-english-speakers/
Zen Dojo Amsterdam offers both free introduction courses to Zen as well as daily opportunities for zazen, the sitting Zen meditation. All meditation activities are also accessible to English speakers.
The biggest Buddhist temple in Europe lies in the heart of Amsterdam and is part of the I.B.P.S. (International Buddhist Progress Society) and BLIA (Buddha's Light International Association). Except for Mondays, the temple is open daily. Calligraphy workshops and Dharma classes are offered.
Zen Centrum Amsterdam welcomes students to join meditations in our city zendo. We offer introduction courses in English and Dutch. You can join open meditations in the mornings and teacher-led groups in the evenings on weekdays throughout the year. On Wednesday evening the Dharma talk is in English; on the other evenings in Dutch. On all evenings you have the opportunity of a formal, individual interview (daisan) with a Zen teacher in English. Participation is on a donation basis.
Oy Vey is an outward-facing, inclusive, and unapologetically Jewish hub in Amsterdam that aims to facilitate and amplify the creation and expression of contemporary Jewish culture. It is a place where everyone is welcome to participate. Oy Vey organizes monthly Havdalah meditations on Saturday evenings.
https://oyvey.nl/events/havdalah-meditations/
Chabad on Campus at the Zuidas in Amsterdam offers you a home away from home, whether you are non-practising, somewhat observant or completely traditionally Jewish. Everyone is welcome and many students, young professionals and expats join.
As the largest of the ten liberal Jewish communities in the Netherlands, the LJG Amsterdam offers a wide range of services and programs. At the LJG Amsterdam, there are weekly Shabbat services and services for all the Jewish holidays.
Erev Shabbat: 20:00
Shabbat morning: 10:00
Lord Shiva Temple houses multiple Hindu deities under one roof and is open every day of the year, including during all Hindu festivals. There is a continuous presence of a priest in the temple.
The Golden Temple houses a large Hindu community in their new building in Almere that has been open since the summer of 2020. The temple is mainly open for the weekly celebration.
The Fatih mosque is located in the heart of the Jordaan in Amsterdam city centre. The mosque at the Rozengracht is in the former catholic St Ignatius church. The Fatih mosque is part of the Stichting Islamitisch Nederland (foundation Islamic Netherlands) and all are welcome to participate in worship.
https://www.facebook.com/HDV-Fatih-Camii-AmsterdamISN-Fatih-Moskee-Amsterdam-540186642804386/
The Blue Mosque houses an open community of Muslims. All believers are welcome to join at the Henri Dunantstraat 1012. The mosque has a special program for converts. The website (only in Dutch) offers a schedule with prayer times.
The Ulu mosque is the biggest mosque in the Netherlands, close to Utrecht central station. This modern designed mosque can house up to 1600 believers at once and also operates as a multicultural meeting place. There is a large cantina and a special hang-out for younger believers.
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