Islam in French Polynesia

Islam in French Polynesia (Islam en Polynésie Française, الإسلام في بولينزيا الفرنسية) – is a minority religion. In French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France, there are 500 Muslims,^[1] which constitutes 0.1% of the nation’s population (279,000 people as of 2021).^[2]. The Muslims in French Polynesia are Sunni, with most residing on the island of Tahiti^[1]

History

The Islamic faith began to establish itself in French Polynesia in the late 20th century – early 21st century, primarily with migrants from North Africa, predominantly from Algeria.^[3]

Islamic Organisation

The Tahiti Islamic Centre (French:Centre Islamique de Tahiti) is led by the 23-year-old Moroccan French Hicham el-Berkani.^[4]

Mosque

In 2013, the first—and so far the only—mosque in French Polynesia was inaugurated in the capital city of Papeete, situated on Tahiti, the largest island of the Society Islands and French Polynesia.^[1] The establishment of the mosque was initiated by its imam, Hicham el-Berkani.^[5]

Modern Times

Although the government guarantees freedom of religion and the right to establish religious communities, in recent years there has been tension between the Christian and Muslim communities in French Polynesia.^[1] The opening of the prayer room (mosque) in Tahiti stirred up controversy.^[6] The mosque, which was meant to be the first in French Polynesia, was inaugurated on 15 October 2013 during the Eid al-Adha. Protesters, numbering in the hundreds and comprising French Polynesians practising Christianity, took to the streets of the capital, Papeete, leading to the mosque being compelled to close due to security concerns. Subsequently, the city authorities permitted the building to be used solely as an office.^[7]

The opposition party "A Tia Porinetia party" has declared its opposition to any form of religious extremism in the islands.^[8]

Also See

• Islam portal
• France portal

• Religion in French Polynesia
• Islam in France

External links

Muslim Population by Country

The opening of the Muslim prayer room in Tahiti caused an uproar.