Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago was introduced to Islam in the second half of the 18th century through Muslim Africans from West Africa who were brought to the islands to work on sugar cane farms. The community was composed largely of Senegalese Mandingos. About half a century later, in the mid-19th century, this time from the Indian sub-continent, many laborers were brought, among them was a large number of Muslims. Today, the country's Muslims are mainly composed of these two elements.
Muslims in Trinidad and Tobago began to organize and form their first institutional structures in the late 19th century. The first of which was the East Indian Association founded in 1893 by Sayyid Abdul Aziz, who came to the island on a contract to work and later settled here. Today, there are many organizations established by Muslims in the country. The Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaat Association (Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association-ASJA), which is considered the most important of these organizations, has been operating for about a century and is accepted as the official representative of Muslims by the country's administration. Apart from this, there are many structures established by Muslims in the country, including the United Islamic Organizations of Trinidad and Tobago Inc., the Muslim World League, and the Muslim Youth Organization. In addition, there are about 100 mosques in the country today, as well as schools providing Islamic education.
Today, the number of Muslims living in Trinidad and Tobago is estimated to be close to 100,000. This means 6-7% of the population. Muslims comprise the third most populous religious group in the country after Christians and Hindus. Trinidad Island is mostly home to Muslims of Indian descent, while Tobago Island is home to Muslims of African descent.
