Islam in the Netherlands Antilles

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, or 0.31% of the population. Most Muslims are emigrants from Lebanon, Syria and Suriname.

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