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

History Muslims began to reach the islands during colonial times as workers (mainly as slaves and indentured labourers, from Sub-Saharan African countries then from the British India (Indian subcontinent). Then there was a wave of Muslims coming from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq as well as some indigenous people who converted to Islam. In 1982 there were about 2000 Muslims.

Islamic centers The majority of the Islam community is located on Curaçao where is the only mosque: Omar bin Al-Khattab Mosque, with its imam, Sheikh Yakubu Mohammed. 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

See also

Islam in the Netherlands Islam in Aruba

References