Islam in Palau

Islam is a minority religion in Palau.

Palau Central Jame Masjid, Koror

History

Spain (1500―1899) and Germany (1899―1914) ruled over the island, during which the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches were active. During Japan's occupation (1919―1947), Shintoists and Buddhists expanded their religious activities.

Islam began to spread in Palau in the first decade of the 21st century when migrant workers started arriving on the archipelago. In Palau, primarily in the early 21st century, around 500 Muslims – migrant workers from Bangladesh ^[1] and Pakistan – reside. ^[2] The Muslims from Bangladesh have established the Bangladesh Islam Association, with Mohiuddin (Mohiuddin) serving as its president.

For the native Palauan population, the minimum wage is 2.50 dollars per hour, while for foreign workers, it is only 1.50 dollars. The number of foreign workers complaining about low wages and harsh treatment by employers is increasing. In December 2005, the Palauan government imposed a moratorium on hiring new labour from Bangladesh. According to the 2007 report by the UN Refugee Agency, the number of workers from Bangladesh in Palau increased from 163 in 2004 to 425 in 2005. ^[3]

In July 2009, US President Barack Obama's administration held discussions with Palau regarding the acceptance of a group of innocent Chinese Muslims ( Uyghurs ) – who had been detained at Guantanamo prison. ^[4] The Palauan president (2009―2013), Johnson Toribiong, allowed six Uyghur detainees from Guantanamo to settle on the island. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

The US government has not found any reports of religious discrimination in Palau based on beliefs and customs. ^[8]

Demographics

In 2018, there are approximately 500 Muslims in Palau. ^[9] Most of them are workers from Bangladesh who came to the country for job opportunities. ^[10]

Islamic Society

External image
Palau Muslims in the mosque.

Palau Muslim Association. ^[11] .

=See also

• Islam portal

• Religion in Palau

References

1. "Lawyers: Uighurs agree to go to Palau | Uyghur American Association". uyghuramerican.org. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
2. "Palau's Muslims anxiously await Gitmo detainees". CTVNews. 19 June 2009. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
3. "Palau's Muslims anxiously await Gitmo detainees". CTVNews. 19 June 2009. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
4. Pleming (9 June 2009). "U.S. talks to Palau over Chinese held in Guantanamo". Reuters. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
5. "Muslim Uighur Bahagia Dibuang ke Palau". Republika Online (in Indonesian). 16 November 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
6. "DAWN.COM | World | Six former Guantanamo detainees resettle in Palau". web.archive.org. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 November 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
7. Washington, Jonathan Watts Ewen MacAskill in (10 June 2009). "Uighur Muslim detainees from Guantánamo Bay will move to Palau". The Guardian. 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
8. Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs (14 September 2007). "Palau". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
9. Sasongko, Agung (6 December 2018). "Syiar Islam di Palau Terus Berkembang" [Preaching of Islam in Palau Continues to Grow]. Republika (in Indonesian). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
10. "Palau's Muslims anxiously await Gitmo detainees". CTV News. Associated Press. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
11. "only-have-two-mosques-Palau-Muslims-continue-islam-preaching". www.republika.co.id. Retrieved 3 April 2025.