Mauao Man

A History of Islam in Oceania:

From Early Encounters to Modern Communities (Part 1)

Introduction: Islam in the Pacific — A Story Few Know

When most people think of Islam, they think of the Middle East, North Africa, or South Asia. But Islam also has a long and surprising history in the Pacific region — a vast area that includes islands scattered across Oceania, as well as the continent of Australia.

From early Muslim sailors who navigated the Pacific, to the arrival of Indian Muslims in Fiji, to the rise of thriving Muslim communities in Australia, the story of Islam in Oceania is one of exploration, migration, cultural exchange, and faith.

This post explores the early encounters, key moments, and modern communities that have made Islam a small but significant part of the Pacific.

1. The Earliest Muslim Contacts in Oceania: Sailors and Traders

Islam’s first contact with Oceania came not through conquest or colonization, but through maritime trade.

1. Muslim Sailors from Southeast Asia: Navigators of the Pacific

As early as the 12th century, Malay and Indonesian Muslim sailors began exploring the waters of the Pacific, long before European explorers arrived.
These sailors were part of the vast Maritime Silk Road, which connected the Muslim world (Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East) to East Asia and the Pacific.
They traded spices, textiles, porcelain, and other goods, sailing to islands in what is now Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Islamic influence in these regions was mostly cultural, with sailors sharing stories, customs, and even religious practices, but leaving no lasting Islamic communities.

2. The Macassan Trepang Traders in Northern Australia:

From the 1600s to the early 1900s, Macassan fishermen and traders from the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia) regularly visited the northern coast of Australia.
These Macassan traders harvested trepang (sea cucumber), a delicacy highly valued in China.
They established trade relations with the local Aboriginal Australian communities, teaching them new fishing techniques, exchanging goods, and introducing new words to local languages.
Some Macassan traders may have also shared their Islamic beliefs with the Aboriginal communities, leaving behind a subtle cultural influence.
Evidence of Macassan influence can still be seen in rock art, boat designs, and loanwords in Aboriginal languages.

3. Limited Religious Influence:

Although Muslim sailors and traders traveled widely in the Pacific, they did not establish lasting Islamic communities.
Islam at this stage was a matter of personal faith for these sailors, not a missionary movement.
It would take the arrival of Muslim settlers in later centuries for Islam to become a more permanent part of Oceania.

2. The Arrival of Islam in Fiji: Faith, Migration, and Cultural Blending

Fiji is home to one of the oldest and largest Muslim communities in the Pacific Islands, but Islam did not arrive here through peaceful preaching or missionary work. Instead, it came through a brutal system of indentured labor under British colonial rule.

1. The Indian Indentured Laborers (1879–1916): The Roots of Fijian Islam

Between 1879 and 1916, more than 60,000 Indian indentured laborers were brought to Fiji by the British to work on sugarcane plantations.
These laborers were part of the “Girmitiya” system, a system of semi-forced labor where Indian workers signed contracts to work in Fiji for five years.
Among these laborers were Indian Muslims, who brought their faith, culture, and language with them.
Many of these Indian Muslims came from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Bengal, regions of India with significant Muslim populations.

2. The Establishment of Fijian Muslim Communities:

The Indian Muslims quickly established their own mosques, community organizations, and schools to maintain their religious identity.
The first Fijian mosque was built in 1898 in Navua, followed by other mosques in Suva, Lautoka, and Labasa.
Over time, Fijian Muslims developed a unique cultural identity that blended Indian, Fijian, and Islamic traditions.
Islamic Education: Fijian Muslims established Islamic schools (madrasas) to teach their children the Quran and Islamic values.
Community Leadership: Organizations like the Fiji Muslim League (FML) were founded to represent the interests of Fijian Muslims, promote education, and provide social services.

3. A Unique Cultural Identity: Fijian Muslim Traditions

Fijian Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, but their celebrations are often influenced by Indian and Fijian customs.
Traditional Indian cuisine (biryani, samosas, curry) is mixed with Fijian ingredients like fish, coconut, and taro.
Fijian Muslim weddings blend Islamic rituals with Indian music, dance, and colorful clothing.
The Fijian Muslim language is also a blend of Hindi, Urdu, and English, with some Fijian words.

4. Challenges Faced by Fijian Muslims:

Fijian Muslims have sometimes faced cultural tensions within the broader Indo-Fijian community, which is predominantly Hindu.
As a minority within a minority, they have had to balance their religious identity with their cultural heritage.
Political tensions between Fijians and Indo-Fijians have also affected the Muslim community, especially during the Fijian coups of 1987 and 2000.
Despite these challenges, Fijian Muslims have maintained a strong sense of community and faith.

3. Islam in Australia: From Early Arrivals to a Major Minority

Australia has one of the largest and most diverse Muslim populations in Oceania — but Islam’s history in Australia is much older than most people realize.

1. Early Contacts: The Afghan Cameleers (1860s–1930s)

In the 1860s, Afghan Muslim cameleers were brought to Australia to help explore the vast, arid interior of the continent.
These Afghan Muslims, known as the “Ghans,” played a vital role in Australia’s early transport network, carrying goods across the Outback.
They established the first mosques in Australia, including the Marree Mosque (1880s) and the Broken Hill Mosque (1887) — some of the oldest mosques in the Southern Hemisphere.
Afghan cameleers maintained their faith, praying in the desert, and observing Ramadan even in the harsh Outback conditions.

2. The Growth of Modern Muslim Communities:

Large-scale Muslim immigration began after World War II, with Muslims arriving from Lebanon, Turkey, Bosnia, and later from Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Australia’s Muslim community became increasingly diverse, with Muslims from Africa (Somalia, Sudan), the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Today, Australia’s Muslim population is one of the largest in Oceania, with over 813,000 Muslims (3.2% of the population).

3. A Network of Mosques, Schools, and Organizations:

Australia is home to over 300 mosques, with major Islamic centers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Islamic schools provide education to thousands of Muslim students, including Malek Fahd Islamic School (Sydney) and Minaret College (Melbourne).
National organizations like the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) represent the Muslim community and advocate for their rights.

4. Challenges Faced by Australian Muslims:

Anti-Muslim discrimination, especially after 9/11 and the rise of ISIS.
Debates over Sharia law, halal certification, and Islamic schools.
Controversial anti-terrorism measures targeting Muslim communities.

Conclusion: A Diverse but Connected History

The history of Islam in Oceania is a story of exploration, migration, and cultural blending. From the early Muslim sailors who explored the Pacific, to the Fijian Muslim communities born out of indentured labor, to the diverse and thriving Muslim population in Australia, Islam has taken on many different forms across this vast region.

History of Islam in New Zealand: From the First Arrivals to Today
Islam and New Zealand’s Indigenous and Pacific Communities: Two Very Different Stories
Are Most Muslims in New Zealand Actually Kiwis? Exploring the Truth Behind the Numbers
Islam: What It Really Teaches — And What It Means for New Zealand
What is Dawah? Understanding Islamic Evangelism — And Why It Matters
Why Dawah is Only in the Big Cities: Islam’s Two Worlds in New Zealand

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.