Abstract: The paper “Surinamese Muslims in
a Plural Society” attests that in Suriname, Islam survived since its second
arrival in 1873 and Muslims have excelled in this plural society of many races
and religions: Hinduism, Christianity, Africans, Amerindians, Chinese,
Hindustanis, Indonesians, Jews and Dutch.
Muslims who originated from the Island of Java, Indonesia and Hindustan
(India) have assimilated with ease in Suriname. This paper summarizes the
social and political history of Surinamese Muslims in negotiating with the
secular state to meet the needs of their community since their arrival. In doing so, it divulges into the intricate
relationship of the Muslims with the state, with other ethnic and religious
groups, and brings to light the triumphs and challenges they face in a plural
society. An attempt is made to analyze
Hindu/Muslim relations outside of the motherland, Hindustani, (India) which has
been characterized by mutual respect, and cooperation, but was sometimes antagonistic and mainly due to
external factors such as the arrival of the Arya Samajis from North India
bringing with them the practice of sudhi. After a turbulent period, the
relationship today is cordial. The
paper asserts that the local Muslims and the state were very aware of the
Muslim/Hindu conflict in the motherland and were keen to prevent communalism
from engulfing Suriname. Further, this paper exposes the schism that exists
among the Islamic organizations in Suriname.
It can accurately be concluded that the Islam has become part of the
social and political fabric of Suriname