Islam in the Dominican Republic

Definition

Islam in the Dominican Republic features both a lengthy history and a growing contemporary presence. Its history is defined by possible pre-Columbian contacts, slave importation, and later immigration. The contemporary community is a mix of both immigrants from the Middle East and other locales and more recent local conversions that are arguably on the rise.

Introduction

When considering Islam and Muslim communities in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean it is important to take note of how, and why, Islam has come to the region. Doing so not only highlights the complex history of the Muslim community in a place like the Dominican Republic, but also reveals insights into the region’s own past, current scene, and potential futures. What it reveals is a much richer and diverse past and a more heterogeneous present than is usually acknowledged or warranted. Indeed, coming to appreciate the presence of Muslims, both past and present, in the Dominican Republic invites an enhanced view...