Dominican Republic

Islam in the Dominican Republic is a minority religion, but it has a growing and active presence. Here’s a detailed overview:

Islam in the Dominican Republic
Population

  • Estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Muslims live in the Dominican Republic.
  • The total population of the country is about 11 million, so Muslims make up a very small percentage (less than 0.05%).
  • Most Muslims are immigrants (from the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa), Dominican converts, and a few students and business professionals.

Mosques and Islamic Centers
There are several masjids and Islamic organizations, especially in Santo Domingo and other urban centers:

  • Masjid Al-Noor – Located in Santo Domingo, this is the main mosque and center of Islamic life.
  • Centro Islámico de la República Dominicana (CIRD) – Involved in education, Da’wah, and community outreach.
  • Other prayer spaces – Smaller mosques or musallahs exist in cities like Santiago, San Pedro de Macorís, and La Romana.

Dominican Muslim Converts
A significant number of local Muslims are Dominican converts, many of whom embraced Islam through exposure to:

  • International Muslims living in the country
  • Online Islamic resources
  • Personal spiritual searches

Many converts are women, and some have formed sisterhood support groups for guidance and learning.

Activities and Outreach
Friday (Jumu’ah) prayers, Eid celebrations, Ramadan iftars, and Qur’an classes are organized regularly.

Dawah programs are active, including:

  • Distributing literature in Spanish
  • Hosting interfaith dialogues
  • Running Islamic classes for children and adults

Hijab and Identity
Muslim women who wear the hijab report a mix of reactions—curiosity, respect, or at times mild discrimination—but generally the society is peaceful and tolerant.

Religious Freedom

  • The Dominican constitution guarantees religious freedom.
  • Muslims practice their faith openly and legally, although Islam is not widely understood by the general public.

History and Growth
Islam was introduced through:

  • Arab immigrants (mainly from Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine) in the early 20th century
  • Recent converts in the 1990s onward

Islam continues to grow slowly due to conversion and immigration.

Fun Fact:
The Dominican Republic is one of the few Caribbean countries with Spanish-language Islamic literature centers, making it an important hub for Islamic outreach in Latin America.

Dominican Republic
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .do
Country Code: +1-809