Islam in Samoa

Samoa is mainly a secular Christian majority country, with adherents of Islam being a minority.

Mariam Masjid in samoa

History

The introduction of Islam into the country began centuries ago. But in recent years significant attention was brought in the 1980s when the Saudi Arabia-based World Assembly of Muslim Youth and Malaysia-based Regional Islamic Da'wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific began their dawah activities in Pacific countries.^[1]

Mosques

There is one prominent mosque(masjid mariam) in the country, although small prayer rooms can be found across the island. ^[2][3] located in the village of Vaiusu.^[4]

Demographics

During the 2001 census, Muslims accounted for 0.03% of the population.^[5] The Western Samoa Muslim League is the Islamic organisation in the country which was established in 1986.^[6]

Notable Muslims

 

Sonny Bill Williams. 2014

• Sonny Bill Williams:- New Zealand rugby union player, converted to Islam in 2009 while playing for Toulon in France.^[7] He was the first Muslim to play for the All Blacks. He performed the Hajj pilgrimage in 2018. He is a New Zealand and Samoan citizen

See also

• Islam in Oceania

• Religion in Samoa
• Islam in American Samoa

References

1. Terdima, Moshe (22 May 2016). "History of Islam in Samoa". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
2. Autagavaia, Tipi. "Fear of Islam drives proposal to change Samoa's constitution". RNZ. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
3. Wyeth, Grant (16 June 2017). "Samoa Officially Becomes a Christian State". The Diplomat. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
4. Membrere, Marc (5 February 2022). "Muslims open mosque on open day". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
5. "Academic says Islam stance in Samoa 'reasonable'". RNZ. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
6. "Samoa a Christian country – PM calls for constitution review". CathNews New Zealand. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
7. History of Islam in Samoa. Samoa Observer

 

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