Islam in the Indian Ocean was established by Muslimseamerchants well before the European discovery of Seychelles.[1] However, unlike in other island countries including the Comoros and Maldives, there were no permanent inhabitants in Seychelles until the French settlement in 1770. Today, the Muslim population of the islands is reported to be only 1.1%, roughly 900 people.[2] Many of its island neighbours in the southern Indian Ocean, including the Comoros, Maldives, and Zanzibar, have a much larger Muslim influence because of their settlement by Muslims, before European colonization. Mauritius also has a much higher Muslim population due to the importation of labour from British India on a scale not seen in Seychelles. The government of Seychelles allows 15 minutes of religious broadcasting every Friday for the Muslim community.
Background
Approximately 1.6 percent of Seychelles is Muslim, though many Islamic mosques have been built around the country. One of the prominent islands with many of the Muslims and mosques is the island of Mahe.[3]
Demographics
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1994
506
—
2002
866
+71.1%
2010
1,459
+68.5%
Year
Percent
Increase
1994
0.8%
-
2002
1.1%
0.3%
2011
1.6%
0.5%
According to the 2010 Census, there were 1,459 Muslims in the Seychelles constituting 1.6 % of the population of Seychelles.[4] This is an increase of 593 from the 2002 census, which reported 866 Muslims constituting 1.1 % of the population. In 1994, there were 506 Muslims constituting 0.7 % of the country's population.[5]
Islamic Society of Seychelles and fasting
An Islamic Society of Seychelles (current president: Ibrahim Afif) attempted to start their own program named Explore Islam. However, the program was closed down unexpectedly.[3]