Islam in French Polynesia

Islam in French Polynesia is a small religious minority in the territory of French Polynesia. There are an estimated 500 Muslims in French Polynesia,[1] most of which are in Tahiti, where the only mosque exists in Papeete. The mosque opened in 2013 and its imam is Hicham el-Berkani,[2] a 23-year old Moroccan-born citizen from France. In recent years there has been a strong tension between the French Polynesian Christians and the Muslims, even though the government gives the right to the freedom of religion and the freedom to create religious associations.[3]

References

1. State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2014 - Case study: Tahiti: Islamophobia in French Polynesia
2. "First mosque opens in French Polynesia". 16 October 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
3. "Opening of Muslim prayer room in Tahiti causes uproar". 17 October 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2017.