Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda was used as a slave training base during the colonial period. As a result of this fact, it is estimated that the first Muslims were brought to the region from the African continent during this period, but it is not possible to find definitive information on this issue.

 

Today, around 1,000 Muslims live in the country, which is approximately 1% of the general population. Almost all Muslims in the country are Sunni, the majority of whom are Arab immigrants from Syria and Lebanon; there are also a small number of African and South Asian Muslims.

 

Islam is officially recognized in the country and Muslims have legal equal rights with others. Muslims' relationship with society is generally positive and there are no systematic problems. However, there is still no large mosque in the country where Muslims can worship en masse. For this purpose, the mosque construction project carried out by the Antigua and Barbuda International Islamic Society (ABIIS) is an important project to meet one of the most important demands of the country's Muslims. Muslims currently have a cabin-like mosque where a maximum of 30-40 people can worship in one place. Apart from ABIIS, another Muslim organization in the country is the American University of Antigua Medical School Muslim Students Association.