French Polynesia is a group of tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of five archipelagos with around 118 atolls and islands combined. Society Islands is the largest and most well-known group here, containing the capital city, Papeete, and the newest island, Tahiti. With beautifully clear lagoons, volcanic mountains, and stunning natural landscapes, French Polynesia is a popular spot for tourists, nature lovers, luxury travellers, and adventure seekers. Among the most renowned attractions is Bora Bora, with luxurious overwater bungalows and thriving marine life.
You'll find a nice blend of French and Polynesian culture here, but the Muslim population is limited. According to a rough estimate, the Muslim population is 500 or less. This statistic makes Muslims less than 0.1 percent of the total population. Most of these Muslims live in Tahiti, which is also where the country's sole mosque exists. If you are a Muslim visiting French Polynesia, you need to download the Muslim and Quran prayer timings mobile application. The app provides accurate and timely Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayer times for any city in the world, including the islands of French Polynesia.
French Polynesia only has one official mosque. Muslims who reside or work near the mosque offer their daily and Jummah prayers in this mosque. Those who are far away may gather in informal places like car parks or offer their salah at home. The only mosque in French Polynesia is Mosquée de Papeete, located in the capital city.
The Mosquée de Papeete opened its doors in Papeete in 2013. The young Imam of this mosque is active in the community and makes continuous efforts to protect the place from the rising tensions between French Polynesian Muslims and Christians. Overall, this mosque provides local Muslims with a much-needed space for praying, spiritual growth, inner reflection, and various religious gatherings. Since Islam has legal protection under the French law of religious freedom, this establishment might be the start of many other mosques in the region. For now, there's always the Muslim and Quran app that gives us accurate Islamic prayer times in French Polynesia.
*Prayer times as on September 27, 2024.
French Polynesia has a lack of halal dining options. With the tiny Muslim population, there's a low demand for halal food. Most of the restaurants don't have halal certification, but Muslims can try the following options:
When you strive to keep halal in French Polynesia, there might be challenges at first. With time and experience, however, things will become easier. As always, ask the street vendor, restaurant, or store about halal ingredients and preparation methods before any new purchase. Connecting with the local Muslims will also help you source halal food options.
Since there are few Muslims in French Polynesia, there aren't any dedicated Islamic education centers, schools, or universities. The only mosque in this region is a hub for Islamic prayers, worship, and social activities. The Imam of the mosque is a French citizen who hails from a Moroccan background. The mosque offers learning opportunities for the local Muslim community in the form of Arabic and Quran classes, prayer (salah) methods classes, etc.
If you're interested in gaining more religious guidance, it's possible to get a structured educational program online. Local Muslims might also take the initiative to conduct private classes and put together courses for Muslim students. There might also be Arabic language and Quran classes available at times. At present, however, there is no proper network or regulatory body for such educational setups.
If you're a visitor or resident of French Polynesia, it's worth looking up the Muslim community here. While there might be very few Muslims in your area, connecting with them will hopefully keep you attached to Islamic principles. When your part of a Muslim community, everyone can celebrate the happy occasion together. When things get tough, you have each other to lean on. Local prayer groups, weekend classes, and other get-togethers can all help you gel in and become part of the French Polynesian Muslim community. The community is an active one, so they should help you settle in and stay productive during your stay.
At Muslim and Quran, we are always committed to helping Muslims navigate their prayers and worship no matter where they are. It doesn't matter what part of the world you are in at the moment. Once you have the Muslim and Quran app, turn the notifications on and stay updated about prayer times each day!