Mauao Man

A History of Islam in Oceania:

From Island Converts to Hidden Communities (Part 2)

Introduction: The Lesser-Known Story of Islam in the Pacific Islands

While Islam has established strong communities in Fiji and Australia, it has also quietly spread to other parts of Oceania — including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. In these places, Islam is not a dominant religion, but it is present — often as a small, quiet, and little-understood minority.

These are not the bustling Islamic centers of Sydney or Suva. Here, Islam is a faith of personal choice, quiet gatherings, and slow, patient growth. This post explores the spread of Islam to these Pacific Islands, how it arrived, who embraced it, and the unique challenges faced by these small Muslim communities.

1. Islam in Papua New Guinea: A Quiet but Growing Presence

1. The Origins: Indonesian Influence and Dawah

Islam was first introduced to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the 1980s, primarily through the influence of Indonesian Muslims living in the neighboring Indonesian province of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya).
This influence came in two main forms:
- Indonesian Traders: Muslim traders from Papua established commercial connections with PNG, bringing their faith with them.
- Indonesian Dawah Organizations: Islamic organizations from Indonesia, including Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, began promoting Islam through education and humanitarian work.
Small groups of local Papuans began converting to Islam, often drawn by the sense of community, the teachings of Islamic morality, and the personal connection they felt with Muslim friends or teachers.

2. A Small but Steady Growth:

Today, the Muslim population of PNG is estimated at around 5,000, a tiny fraction of the country’s total population of over 9 million.
This Muslim community is a diverse mix of:
- Local Converts: Papuans who have embraced Islam, often influenced by Indonesian Dawah.
- Indonesian Immigrants: Muslims who have settled in PNG from neighboring Indonesia.
- South Asian and Middle Eastern Immigrants: Small numbers of Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Middle East.
The majority of PNG Muslims live in Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, and other major towns.

3. The Role of Mosques and Islamic Centers:

The first mosque in PNG was built in Port Moresby in the 1980s, serving as a center for prayer, religious education, and community gatherings.
Other mosques have since been established in Lae, Madang, and Goroka, although these are often small, simple structures.
The Islamic Society of Papua New Guinea (ISPNG) is the main organization representing the Muslim community.
Islamic education is provided informally, with local imams trained in Indonesia or Malaysia.

4. Islamic Education and Dawah:

PNG Muslims have access to basic Islamic education, including Quran reading, prayer instruction, and lessons on Islamic beliefs.
Indonesian Dawah organizations continue to play a significant role, providing educational materials and sending religious teachers to PNG.
Some local converts have also traveled to Indonesia or Malaysia for advanced Islamic studies.

5. Challenges Faced by PNG Muslims:

Misunderstanding and Mistrust: Many Papua New Guineans are unfamiliar with Islam, leading to suspicion and prejudice.
Lack of Islamic Education: With only a few mosques and no established Islamic schools, access to Islamic education is limited.
Isolation: Muslims in PNG are a tiny minority, and many face social isolation, even within their own communities.
Cultural Conflicts: Some converts face criticism from their families and communities, who see Islam as a “foreign” religion.
Economic Struggles: Many PNG Muslims live in poor communities, and the lack of economic opportunities can make it difficult for the community to grow.

2. Islam in the Solomon Islands: A Community of Converts

1. A Recent Arrival: The Dawah Movement

Islam is a relatively new religion in the Solomon Islands, having arrived only in the late 1990s.
It was introduced primarily through the efforts of international Dawah organizations, including Jamaat Tabligh and iERA (Islamic Education and Research Academy).
Early converts were drawn to Islam through personal connections with Muslim missionaries, the distribution of Qurans, and the influence of Islamic teachings on social media.
Some local leaders converted to Islam and began spreading the faith among their communities.

2. A Small but Devoted Community:

The Muslim population of the Solomon Islands is estimated at around 1,000, making it one of the smallest Muslim communities in Oceania.
Most Solomon Island Muslims are local converts, with a few Muslim immigrants from Fiji, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
The majority of Muslims live in Honiara (the capital), while smaller communities exist in Malaita, Guadalcanal, and Isabel.

3. Mosques and Islamic Centers:

The main mosque in Honiara is the heart of the Muslim community, providing a place for prayer, religious education, and community gatherings.
Other small prayer spaces exist in villages where Muslim converts have established small communities.
Local Muslim leaders are often trained overseas, in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Fiji.

4. Social and Cultural Integration:

Solomon Island Muslims maintain a strong connection to their local culture, blending Islamic teachings with traditional customs.
For example, Muslim weddings may include traditional Solomon Island dances and music, while Islamic feasts feature local foods like fish, cassava, and taro.
Islamic dress is generally worn only for prayer or special events, with most Muslims dressing in local styles for everyday life.

5. Challenges Faced by Solomon Island Muslims:

Social Pressure: Converts sometimes face hostility from family and community members who see Islam as a foreign religion.
Limited Resources: With only a few mosques and no Islamic schools, access to religious education is limited.
Isolation: As a tiny minority, Solomon Island Muslims often feel disconnected from the broader Islamic world.
Misunderstanding: Many locals associate Islam with violence or extremism due to media portrayals, creating a negative perception of Muslims.

3. Islam in the Pacific Islands: Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu

1. Samoa: A Small but Visible Community

Islam first arrived in Samoa in the 1990s, primarily through the efforts of international Dawah organizations and Muslim missionaries.
The community is small — estimated at around 500 Muslims — but it has a visible presence, with a mosque in Apia, the capital.
Most Samoan Muslims are local converts, and they maintain a strong connection to Samoan culture.
The Samoan Muslim League represents the community, promoting education and interfaith dialogue.

2. Tonga: A Quiet Minority

Islam in Tonga is even smaller, with only around 300 Muslims, most of whom are local converts.
The Tongan Muslim community is centered in Nuku’alofa, the capital, where a small mosque serves as the community’s gathering place.
Tongan Muslims often face resistance from family and community members who see Islam as a foreign influence.

3. Vanuatu: A Community of Converts and Immigrants

Islam first reached Vanuatu in the early 2000s, through the efforts of local converts and international Dawah organizations.
The community is small, with an estimated 400 Muslims, most of whom are local converts.
A mosque in Port Vila serves as the center of Islamic life in Vanuatu, providing religious education and a place for community gatherings.

4. Comparing Islam Across the Pacific: One Faith, Many Faces

Country	Estimated Muslim Population	Main Origins	Key Challenges
Papua New Guinea	~5,000	Indonesian influence	Misunderstanding, isolation
Solomon Islands	~1,000	Local converts	Social pressure, lack of education
Samoa	~500	Local converts	Cultural resistance
Tonga	~300	Local converts	Cultural resistance
Vanuatu	~400	Local converts	Isolation, cultural conflict

Conclusion: Islam in the Pacific — A Faith That Adapts, Endures, and Transforms

Islam in the Pacific is a story of quiet faith, personal discovery, and cultural adaptation. In the islands of Oceania, Islam is not a dominant religion — it is a small, often hidden faith that has taken root in the most unexpected places. But this does not make it any less meaningful.

From Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands, from Samoa and Tonga to Vanuatu, Islam has established a quiet but resilient presence, shaped by local cultures, influenced by international Dawah organizations, and driven by the personal choices of individual converts. But each of these communities tells a different story:

In Papua New Guinea, Islam is a faith of connection — introduced through Indonesian influence, shaped by local converts, and maintained by a small but devoted community. Here, Islam is a bridge between cultures, a faith that blends the teachings of the Quran with the customs of the Pacific.
In the Solomon Islands, Islam is a faith of choice — a religion embraced by a small community of converts who have chosen to follow a different spiritual path. But this choice is not always easy. Solomon Island Muslims must balance their faith with local customs, and some face social pressure or misunderstanding.
In Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, Islam is a faith of resilience — a tiny minority faith that has survived and grown despite resistance, cultural suspicion, and social isolation. Here, Muslims are often local converts who must carefully balance their new beliefs with the strong cultural traditions of their islands.

A Religion of Diversity: One Faith, Many Faces

The story of Islam in the Pacific Islands is not a story of conquest or mass conversion. It is a story of quiet faith — of men and women who have chosen Islam for themselves, of small communities that have grown one person at a time, and of local cultures that have been touched by the teachings of the Quran without losing their unique identity.

But these stories also reveal a powerful truth: Islam is a faith that can adapt, endure, and transform. It can be introduced by sailors and traders, maintained by immigrants and missionaries, and embraced by local converts. It can blend with local customs, survive social pressure, and become a meaningful part of life in even the most remote islands.

The Future of Islam in the Pacific: Growth, Identity, and Challenge

As the Pacific region continues to connect with the wider world, these small Muslim communities may continue to grow. But their future is not guaranteed. They will face many challenges:

Maintaining Identity: How will these Muslim communities maintain their faith in the face of cultural pressure and social isolation?
Education and Leadership: Who will provide Islamic education to new converts? Will local Muslims develop their own religious leaders, or will they remain dependent on foreign-trained imams?
Interfaith Relations: Will these Muslim communities build bridges with their non-Muslim neighbors, or will they remain isolated?
Digital Dawah: As social media and the internet continue to spread, will more Pacific Islanders be introduced to Islam online?

But for now, the story of Islam in the Pacific is a story of quiet resilience, of faith that takes root in unexpected places, and of people who choose a new path — one that connects them to a global faith without losing their local identity.

These are not the grand mosques of Jakarta or the bustling streets of Cairo. These are tiny prayer spaces in remote villages, quiet gatherings in small mosques, and whispered prayers on island beaches. But they are just as much a part of the Islamic world.

Islam in the Pacific is not just a religion — it is a living story, written one believer at a time.

A History of Islam in Oceania: From Early Encounters to Modern Communities (Part 1)
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

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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.