Islam in French Polynesia is a small religious minority in the territory of French Polynesia. There are an estimated 500 Muslims in French Polynesia, [1] most of which are in Tahiti, where the only mosque exists in Papeete. The mosque opened in 2013 and its imam is Hicham el-Berkani, [2] a 23-year old Moroccan-born citizen from France. In recent years there has been a strong tension between the French Polynesian Christians and the Muslims, even though the government gives the right to the freedom of religion and the freedom to create religious associations. [3]
Islam in French Polynesia is a small religious minority in the territory of French Polynesia. There are an estimated 500 Muslims in French Polynesia, [1] most of which are in Tahiti, where the only mosque exists in Papeete. The mosque opened in 2013 and its imam is Hicham el-Berkani, [2] a 23-year old Moroccan-born citizen from France. In recent years there has been a strong tension between the French Polynesian Christians and the Muslims, even though the government gives the right to the freedom of religion and the freedom to create religious associations. [3]