Haiti

Islam in Haiti is a tiny minority religion, but it has a small and growing presence in the country.

Overview:

  • Muslim Population: Estimated at around 2,000 to 4,000 Muslims in a country of about 11.5 million people — less than 0.05% of the population.
  • Christianity is the dominant religion in Haiti, primarily Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations, along with traditional Vodou practices.

History:

  • Islam may have first come to Haiti indirectly via enslaved West Africans brought during the transatlantic slave trade — many of whom were Muslims — but this influence was erased under the harsh conditions of slavery and forced Christianization.
  • Modern Islam in Haiti was reintroduced by foreign Muslim immigrants (particularly from the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa) and by local converts over the last few decades, especially after the 1980s.
  • Interest in Islam grew modestly after the devastating 2010 earthquake, as some aid workers and relief agencies were Muslim, sparking curiosity among locals.

Current Status:

  • There are several small mosques and Islamic centers in cities like Port-au-Prince (the capital) and Cap-Haïtien.
  • The main Islamic organization is called the Muslim Community of Haiti (Communauté Musulmane d’Haïti), which coordinates religious activities and education.
  • Muslims gather for Friday prayers (Jumu’ah) and observe Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.

Social Environment:

  • Haiti’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, allowing Muslims to practice their faith freely.
  • Most Haitians know very little about Islam, and some misconceptions exist, but there is generally peaceful coexistence.
  • Halal food is rare and difficult to obtain outside of specific Muslim communities.
  • Islamic education (madrasa) options are very limited, and many Haitian Muslims learn about Islam via online resources or traveling imams.

Challenges:
Lack of resources (mosques, Islamic schools, halal food markets).

  • Islam is often misunderstood in a heavily Christian and Vodou cultural environment.
  • Muslims are few and scattered, which can make community-building difficult.

Haiti
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .ht
Country Code: +509