Saint Lucia

Islam in Saint Lucia is a small but present minority faith, practiced by a tiny community within this predominantly Christian Caribbean island nation.

1. Muslim Population
The Muslim population of Saint Lucia is estimated to be under 0.1% of the total population (fewer than 500 people out of ~180,000). The community includes:

  • Immigrants from the Middle East (mainly Lebanese and Syrian backgrounds).
  • South Asian Muslims from India and Pakistan.
  • A small but growing number of local Saint Lucian converts.

2. History of Islam in Saint Lucia

  • Islam was introduced primarily by Middle Eastern traders and merchants who migrated to the island during the 20th century.
  • Some South Asian Muslims arrived later as businesspeople or professionals.
  • Local conversion to Islam has slowly increased, often influenced by global Islamic da’wah (missionary) movements and online resources.

3. Religious Practices
There is at least one mosque in the capital, Castries, which serves as the main Islamic center. The Muslim community organizes:

  • Friday prayers (Jumu’ah).
  • Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations.
  • Ramadan fasting and nightly Tarawih prayers.

Daily prayers are often performed privately at home or in small groups due to the small size of the community.

4. Islamic Organizations

  • The Islamic Association of Saint Lucia (IASL) helps organize religious events, educates the public about Islam, and fosters unity among Muslims.
  • The association also facilitates visits from scholars and speakers from nearby Caribbean nations such as Trinidad and Guyana.

5. Social and Cultural Influence

  • Islam is not highly visible in Saint Lucia’s public life.
  • The country is overwhelmingly Christian (about 90% of the population), mostly Roman Catholic and Protestant.
  • However, Muslims are free to practice their faith, and religious tolerance is generally respected.
  • The Muslim community participates in interfaith activities to promote understanding and harmony.

6. Challenges
Limited access to:

  • Islamic education (madrasahs or weekend schools are minimal or absent).
  • Halal-certified food products.
  • Islamic cultural centers or bookstores.

A lack of awareness among the general public sometimes leads to misunderstandings about Islam, though Saint Lucia is generally peaceful and respectful of religious diversity.

7. Regional Links

  • Saint Lucia’s Muslim community maintains ties with larger Muslim populations in Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, and Barbados, occasionally hosting events and guest speakers from these countries.
  • These links help sustain Islamic education and religious life on the island.

8. Fun Fact
Although small, the Muslim community in Saint Lucia has seen an increasing number of local converts, mostly among young people seeking spiritual alternatives or influenced by global Islamic movements online.

Saint Lucia
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .lc
Country Code: +1-758