Islam in Tonga

Tonga is an overwhelmingly Christian majority country, with adherents of Islam being a minority.^[1][2] Due to secular nature of the Tonga's constitution, Muslims are free to proselytize and build places of worship in the country. Most Muslims in Tonga belong to either Sunni or Ahmadiyya denominations. The number of Muslims was estimated at less than 1000 in 2010 by the Pew Research Center^[3] in a population of about 108,000, while a report by the Fiji Muslim League estimated that in 2002 there were about 70 Muslim Tongan nationals out of a Muslim population of 100.^[4]

Muslim school

Tonga’s Muslim community is planning to raise funds in the Middle East to build a new boarding school on Tongatapu.^[5][6] The school is to follow the Tongan school curriculum, but additionally offer the Arabic language and Islamic studies as options. Sheikh Imam Abdul Fader, a spiritual leader of the Tongan Muslim community and a mathematics teacher, said their project is to build a three-story boarding school that will serve Muslims and non-Muslims, especially orphans who are often deprived of education. The children in the school will not be forced to study or convert to Islam. He also said that a small delegation of Tongan Muslims will leave in June 2007 for Saudi Arabia and Qatar to seek donations and funding for the new school, since these two countries are well known for their strong contributions to the Muslim community in Australia and New Zealand.

Ofa Tu'ungafasi is a Tongan born All Black Rugby Union player.

Mosques

• Al-Khadeejah Mosque

Notable Muslims

• Ofa Tu'ungafasi

See also

• Islam portal

• Islam by country
• Religion in Tonga

References

1. Latu, Kalino (8 May 2016). "Muslim leader in Tonga concerns over delays in registration application - Kaniva Tonga News". Kaniva Tonga News. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
2. "Jejak Islam di Tonga |Republika Online". Republika Online (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
3. "Table: Muslim Population by Country". Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. 27 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
4. Abdul Majied (5 July 2002). Fiji Muslim League Situation Report: Tonga & Samoa. Fiji Muslim League. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
5. "Plans for a Muslim school in Tonga". Radio New Zealand International. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
6. "Plans for a Muslim school in Tonga". RNZ. 24 April 2007. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.

"Ислам в Королевстве Тонга | Islam.plus". islam.plus (in Russian). Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.

"Tongan Muslim advocates for open conversations on faith and unity". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 4 October 2025.

Reporter, Staff. "Tongan Muslim man accuses royal guard for being ignorant and favours certain churches". Papua New Guinea Today (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 October 2025.

"The Peace Loving Muslims". Matangi Tonga. 24 May 2007. Retrieved 4 October 2025.

"Religious leader in Tonga says Muslim children need school to learn about faith". RNZ. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 4 October 2025.

Reporter, Staff. "Tongan convert to Islam in Sydney court on terrorism-related charges". Papua New Guinea Today (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 October 2025.

Religious Cooperation in the Pacific Islands. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific. 1989. pp. 77–8.

External links

• "Tonga 2006 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). sdd.spc.int. Tonga Department of Statistics. June 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
• Tagata Pasifika (10 March 2017). TAGATA PASIFIKA: Tongan Muslim leader Imam Kalisitiane Iliasi Manu. Retrieved 3 October 2025 – via YouTube.
• Cii Radio (18 January 2022). Tonga Muslims. Retrieved 3 October 2025 – via YouTube.
• Dawah in the Pacific (26 October 2020). ISLAM IN TONGA. Retrieved 4 October 2025 – via YouTube.
• Dawah in the Pacific (25 October 2020). ADHAN IN TONGA FROM A TONGAN REVERT TO ISLAM,BROTHER ABDURRAHMAN 22 YEARS YOUNG. Retrieved 4 October 2025 – via YouTube.