Islam in East Timor

The country had a significant Muslim population during the Indonesian occupation, composed mostly of ethnic Malay immigrants from Indonesian islands.[2] There were also a few ethnic East Timorese converts to Islam, as well as a small number descended from Arab Muslims living in the country while it was under Portuguese authority.[2] The latter group was well integrated into society, but ethnic Malay Muslims at times were not.[2] Only a small number of ethnic Malay Muslims remained.[2]

Domestic and foreign missionary groups operated freely.[2]

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice.[2] Societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice occur, but they are relatively infrequent.

Islam

Islam is a minority religion in East Timor. The US State Department and the CIA World Factbook estimate that Muslims make up 0.3% of the population.[10] East Timor's first prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, is a Sunni Muslim.