Islam in Mauritius

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The 1968 constitution of Mauritius recognized four religious categories: Hindus, Muslims, Sino-Mauritians, and the general population. According to a 1989 estimate, of a total population of 1,080,000, Muslims constituted about 16 percent(179,280).

Recent statistics are not available because questions on religious affiliations have been removed from the population census.

The Muslim population is approximately 95 percent Sunni and many are Urdu-speaking. Other languages include Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Tamil. Sunnis adhere mostly to the Hanafi school of thought, reflecting their roots in the Indian subcontinent.

The biggest and second oldest place of worship is the Jummah Mosque in Port Louis, but there are many smaller mosques in the towns and villages. The highest concentration of Muslims is found in the capital Port Louis, predominantly in the Plaine Verte, Ward IV , Valle Pitot and Camp Yoloff neighborhood.

Among the Shi'a minority, some have their origins in different parts of India, others are adherents of the Agha Khan from East Africa.

In spite of their weak numerical percentage, the Mauritian Muslims have had an important role in the political life of the island, namely during the pre-independence campaign when Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed, the leader of the CAM (Communanuté d'Action Musulmane) allied himself with the would-be first Prime Minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. This alliance secured the necessary votes to complete those of the Labour Party which wanted to get Mauritius in a new era of freedom and nationhood. Other prominent social and political figures include Abdul Hakim Abdul Razzaque, who was a self-made businessman, originally from Trinidad, who founded the Imprimerie Idéale and owned the national newspaper Le Citoyen. With other members of his community, he started the Islamic Cultural College and financed many social and religious projects, among which the Rabita Building in Plaine-Verte. Cassam Uteem, from the opposition MMM (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) party was to become the first President of the new Mauritian Republic. Mauritian Muslims comprise an impressive number of traders and businessmen, such as Currimjee Brothers or the Atchias, along with numerous professionals and writers.

Islam by country – All the Muslims of Mauritius speak Mauritian Creole and have a good knowledge of French and English. Moreover, many of them speak Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati or Bhojpuri.

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