Islam in Mauritius

Nearly all Muslims of Mauritius are South Asians . The 1968 constitution of Mauritius recognized four religious categories: Hindus , Muslims , Sino-Mauritians, and the general population. According to a 1989 estimate of a total population of 1,080,000, Muslims constituted about 16 percent (179,280). Recent statistics are not available because questions on religious affiliations have been removed from the population census. Approximately 95 percent are Sunni Hanafi Muslims speaking Urdu language . Other languages include Bhojpuri , Gujarati , and Tamil . Among the Shi'a minority, some have their origins in different parts of South Asia , while others are adherents of the Shia Ismaili sect from East Africa . The majority of Shias are Ithna 'ashariyah with small Ismaili sect. The first purpose-built Mosque in Mauritius is the Dar-us-Salam Mosque in Rose Hill, Mauritius which belongs to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community , however, the biggest and second oldest place of worship is the Jummah Mosque in Port Louis , but there are many smaller mosques in the towns and villages. The highest concentration of Muslims is found in the capital Port Louis , predominantly in the Plaine Verte , Ward IV , Valle Pitot and Camp Yoloff neighborhood.

Muslims of Mauritius are of Indian descent; however, there is a growing number of creole converts to Islam. The vernacular language is Urdu/Hindi. The 1968 constitution of Mauritius recognized four religious categories: Hindus , Muslims , Sino-Mauritians, and the general population. Approximately 95 percent are Sunni Muslims, having an understanding of the Urdu language . Within the Muslim community, there are three distinct ethnic groups that exist, notably the Memons and the Surtees (who are rich merchants who came from Kutch and Surat province of Gujarat in India ), then the "Hindi Calcattias" who came to Mauritius as indentured labourer from Bihar . Humeirah , a novel by Sabah Carrim, is a story about the Memons and the Hindi Calcattias, set on Mauritius. Other languages include Bhojpuri , Gujarati , and Tamil . Among the Shia minority, some have their origins in different parts of South Asia , while others are adherents of the Shia Ismaili sect from East Africa . The majority of Shias are Ithna 'ashariyah with a small Ismaili sect. There is also an Ahmadi minority. The first purpose-built mosque in Mauritius is the Camp des Lascars Mosque in around 1805. It is now officially known as the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Jummah Mosque in Port Louis was built in the 1850s and is described in the Ministry of Tourism's guide as one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Mauritius . There are many smaller mosques in the towns and villages. The highest concentration of Muslims is found in the capital Port Louis , predominantly in the Plaine Verte , Ward IV, Valle Pitot and Camp Yoloff neighborhood.

Muslims constitute over 17.3 per cent of Mauritius population. Muslims of Mauritius are mostly of Indian descent. Large numbers of Muslims arrived to Mauritius during the British regime starting in 1834 as part of the large scale indentured labor force from India . Mauritius became independent in 1968 and no official religion is defined in the constitution nor does any religion dominate. Christians make up about a third of the population; Hindus about half and Muslims most of the rest. Several religious groups including Muslim ones are recognized by parliamentary decree and receive state subsidies according to their percentage of the population.

Religion in Mauritius Islam in Mauritius is the nation's third largest religion behind Hinduism and Christianity . Muslims constitute over 17.3 per cent of Mauritius population. Muslims of Mauritius are mostly of Indian descent. Large numbers of Muslims arrived to Mauritius during the British regime starting in 1834 as part of the large scale indentured labor force from India . Mauritius became independent in 1968 and no official religion is defined in the constitution. Hindus make up about half of the population; Christians about a third and Muslims most of the rest. Several religious groups including Muslim ones are recognized by parliamentary decree and receive state subsidies according to their percentage of the population.

Islam is the third largest religion in Mauritius . Muslims constitute over 18.24 per cent of Mauritius population. Many Mauritian Muslims are of Indian descent, tracing their origins to the large-scale migration of indentured laborers from India during the British colonial period . This migration began in 1834 and continued throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Mauritius became independent in 1968 and no official religion is defined in the constitution. Hindus make up about half of the population, Christians about a third and Muslims most of the rest. Several religious groups including Muslim ones are recognized by parliamentary decree and receive state subsidies according to their percentage of the population.