Fiji

Islam in Fiji is a minority religion but has a long-established presence. Here’s an overview:

1. Muslim Population:

  • Muslims make up about 6–7% of Fiji’s total population (around 60,000 people).
  • Most Fijian Muslims are ethnic Indo-Fijians, descendants of Indian laborers brought by the British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

2. Sunni and Other Groups:

  • The majority of Muslims in Fiji are Sunni, following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, reflecting the influence of North Indian Islam.
  • There is also a presence of Ahmadiyya Muslims, although they are a small minority and sometimes face tension with the Sunni majority.

3. Mosques and Islamic Institutions:
Fiji has several mosques, particularly in areas with large Indo-Fijian communities such as Suva, Lautoka, and Nadi. Islamic organizations include:

  • Fiji Muslim League (FML): The main Islamic body overseeing mosques, religious education, and welfare.
  • Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at: Representing the Ahmadiyya community.

The Fiji Muslim League also runs schools and colleges, integrating both secular and Islamic studies.

4. Religious Life and Practice:

  • Muslims in Fiji celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha with public prayers and community feasts.
  • Halal food certification is widely practiced in the country, especially for the Muslim community.
  • Friday (Jumu’ah) prayers are central, with many workplaces and schools accommodating Muslim religious obligations.

5. Interfaith Relations:

  • Muslims in Fiji generally live peacefully alongside Christians (the majority) and Hindus.
  • Interfaith dialogue exists, but occasional political and ethnic tensions among Indo-Fijians and native Fijians have affected religious minorities indirectly.

6. Challenges:

  • As a religious minority, Muslims sometimes face challenges related to maintaining Islamic identity and practices, especially in a Christian-majority nation.
  • Small incidents of discrimination or misunderstanding occur, but large-scale religious conflict is rare.

7. Hajj and Global Connection:
Many Fijian Muslims participate in Hajj and maintain connections with the global Muslim community, especially South Asia and Australia.

Fiji
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .fj
Country Code: +679