Islam in New Caledonia

Islam in New Caledonia is a minority faith, consisting of 2.6% of population or 6,357 people. The community is largely ethnic Javanese,^[1] and primarily speaks French, and Arabic or Indonesian, causing a linguistic gap between them and neighbouring Anglophone Muslim communities in Australia and Fiji.^[2] There is an Islamic centre in Nouméa, and another in Bourail catering to Algerian-Caledonians.^[3]

History

Among the first Muslims in New Caledonia were Algerian prisoners sent there in 1872,^[4] followed by Indonesian, Somali, and Arab labourers.^[1]

The Association des Musulmans de Nouvelle Caledonie (New Caledonia Muslim Association) was founded in 1975, superseding an earlier organisation.^[5]

References

1. R. G. Crocombe (2007). Asia in the Pacific Islands: Replacing the West. [e-mail]. pp. 375–. ISBN 978-982-02-0388-4. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
2. Emiliana Afeaki; R. G. Crocombe; John McClaren (1983). Religious cooperation in the Pacific Islands. University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
3. Globalization and the re-shaping of Christianity in the Pacific Islands. Pacific Theological College. 2006. ISBN 978-982-348-020-6. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
4. M. Alī Kettani (1986). Muslim minorities in the world today. Mansell. ISBN 978-0-7201-1802-5. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
5. Farzana Shaikh (1992). Islam and Islamic groups: a worldwide reference guide. Longman Group UK. ISBN 978-0-582-09146-7. Retrieved 24 August 2012.