Islam in The Dominican Republic

Statistics for Islam in the Dominican Republic estimate that 0.02 percent of the population (3,000 individuals) are Muslim, but accurate statistics of religious affiliation are difficult to calculate and there is a wide variation concerning the actual numerical amount. Although the majority of the population is Roman Catholic, Muslim students and local organizations such as the Círculo Islámico de República Dominicana (The Islamic Circle of Dominican Republic) and the Islamic Center of the Dominican Republic (located in Miami) have helped spread Islam in this country. Currently, the Círculo Islámico estimates that Muslims number over 3,000 (most recent statistics), including of a good number of local converts. Most recently, a new organization has become quite active in the country with the spreading of Islam, led by native born Muslim converts, the Entidad Islámica Dominicana or EID (Dominican Islamic Entity).

The Círculo Islámico established the first mosque in the Dominican Republic in the center of Santo Domingo, about a five minute walk from the Palacio de Policía Nacional and the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) where Muslims from around the city would have easy access to reach it. They made an agreement with the owner to purchase the land and the building for an amount of 2.85 million pesos. The mosque is open daily for the five prayers (salat) and offers classes on Islamic studies for ladies and children on weekends. They also provide free medical consultation along with a free pharmacy, Consulta Al-Foutory, which is located in a separate building at the back of the mosque. Masjid al Noor is largely believed to be the only active Masjid on the Island and receives the bulk of the Muslim population for the two Eids, Ramadan, Salat al Jummah, and the five daily prayers. However, there is another Masjid in Los LLanos neighborhood of San Pedro de Macorix, Dominican Republic. This Masjid is led by a converted Dominican Imam. Los LLanos is roughly a 30 minutes drive from Mezquita al Noor. The Musalla Al-Hidayya providing Jummah services in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, and the Musalla Al-Nabawi is catering to local and visiting Muslims in the touristic sector of Bávaro-Punta Cana, East of the country.

Read more about Islam In The Dominican Republic:  Present-Day Status of Islam in Dominican Republic

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