The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community mosque in Majuro is the first of its kind in the Mashall Islands.

Ahmadiyya presence grows despite Christian critics in the Marshall Islands, writes Giff Johnson





On a back road in downtown Majuro, the first Muslim church in the Marshall Islands is a small but growing entity. Although there had been an Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Majuro for a number of years, it wasn’t until the religious group decided to cement its relationship with the Marshall Islands by building a mosque that it began drawing attention — and criticism — of mainstream Christian churches and some political leaders.





Still, the group opened this staunchly Christian nation’s first mosque in late 2012 and from this base the Ahmadiyya group is reaching out to the community, particularly working with local youth groups and the Ministry of Health through its partner organization, Humanity First.





Majuro Imam Matiullah Joyia has continuously emphasized the group’s rejection of “jihad by the sword” to distinguish the organization from Islamic groups involved in terrorism around the world. It’s an important point for Marshall Islanders who pride themselves on their long-standing ties and special relationship with the United States, which includes supporting globally unpopular U.S. positions on the Middle East and Israel at the United Nations. The Marshall Islands’ close relationship with the United States government also includes hundreds of Marshallese being past and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with many having served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.



