Islam in the Netherlands Antilles

Islam is a minority religion in the Netherlands Antilles. There are about 2,500 Muslims in the Islands,[1] 1000 of which are in the Caribbean Netherlands,[2][3] or 0.31% of the population. Most Muslims are emigrants from Lebanon, Syria and Suriname.[4]

History

Muslims began to reach the islands during colonial times as workers, from African countries then form the Indian subcontinent. Then there was a wave of Muslims coming from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq as well as some indeginous people who converted to Islam.[1] In 1982 there were about 2000 Muslims.

Islamic centers

The majority of the Islam community is located on Curaçao where is the only mosquee:[4] Masjed Omar ben al Ghattab, with its imam Sheikh Yakubu Mohammed.[3] There are other Islamic centers including:

  • Bonaire Islamic Center, Kaya Hanchi Amboina, Bonaire
  • Curaçao Islamic Center, Weg Naar Welgelegen # 6, Island of Curaçao, Willemstad
  • Sint Maarten Islamic Center, Puma Road 26, Philipsburg
  • Muslim Gemeente Curaçao, Weg Naar Welgelegen 6, Curaçao, Willemstad
  • Muslim Student Association, University Of Sint Eustatius School Of Medicine, Oranjestad, ST EUSTATIUS
  • Sint Eustatius Islamic Foundation, Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "الأقلية المسلمة في منطقة البحر الكاريبي" (in Arabic). 2014-06-23. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  2. ↑ Muslim Situation in the Caribbean
  3. 1 2 3 ISLAM and MUSLIMS IN NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
  4. 1 2 Religion in Netherlands Antilles
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