Islam in Papua New Guinea
Encyclopedia
Islam in Papua New Guinea is a minority religion; the US department of state estimates that there are about 2,000 Muslims in the country.
traded with China and the Malay empire, the latter of which was Muslim, beginning in the 16th century. In 1988, Muslims in Papua New Guinea set up the first Islamic center, with the help of a Malaysia-based Islamic organization and the Saudi Ministry of Islamic affairs. In 1996, three more Islamic centers were established, with the help of the Muslim World League
. There are now seven Islamic centers in the nation. The first mosque
was built in Port Moresby
, with a capacity to hold up to 1,500 worshipers.
In Papua New Guinea, new Islamic missionary
movements are beginning to proliferate. There are pockets of Muslims around Port Moresby, in Baimuru, Daru
, Marshall Lagoon, the Musa Valley and in the islands of New Britain
and New Ireland
. It is in the Highlands
that Islam has seen the most growth.
History
The people of the island of New GuineaNew Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
traded with China and the Malay empire, the latter of which was Muslim, beginning in the 16th century. In 1988, Muslims in Papua New Guinea set up the first Islamic center, with the help of a Malaysia-based Islamic organization and the Saudi Ministry of Islamic affairs. In 1996, three more Islamic centers were established, with the help of the Muslim World League
Muslim World League
The Muslim World League is one of the largest Islamic non-governmental organizations. Muslim religious figures from 22 states founded it in Makkah in 1962.-Structure:...
. There are now seven Islamic centers in the nation. The first mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
was built in Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
, with a capacity to hold up to 1,500 worshipers.
Islam in present day Papua New Guinea
Today, there are around 4,000 Muslims in the country, with many taking up the faith in recent years.In Papua New Guinea, new Islamic missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
movements are beginning to proliferate. There are pockets of Muslims around Port Moresby, in Baimuru, Daru
Daru
Daru is the capital of the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. The township is entirely located on an island that goes by the same name, which is located near the mouth of the Fly River on the western side of the Gulf, just north of Torres Strait and Far North Queensland...
, Marshall Lagoon, the Musa Valley and in the islands of New Britain
New Britain
New Britain, or Niu Briten, is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from the island of New Guinea by the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits and from New Ireland by St. George's Channel...
and New Ireland
New Ireland (island)
New Ireland is a large island in Papua New Guinea, approximately 7,404 km² in area. It is the largest island of the New Ireland Province, lying northeast of the island of New Britain. Both islands are part of the Bismarck Archipelago, named after Otto von Bismarck, and they are separated by...
. It is in the Highlands
Highlands Region
-Subdivision:The Region is administratively divided into five provinces:* Southern Highlands* Enga Province* Western Highlands* Simbu* Eastern Highlands-See also:* Provinces of Papua New Guinea...
that Islam has seen the most growth.