The growth of Islam in Taiwan is undeniably substantial year after year. This clearly demonstrates that Taiwan is an inclusive nation for all faiths. In Taiwan, Buddhists constitute 35.1 percent of the population. However, other religions have experienced considerable growth.
This is intrinsically linked to the policies of the government, as outlined in the Constitution adopted in 1947, particularly in Article 13, which asserts: “The people shall have freedom of religious belief.”
This demonstrates the dedication of the government to granting its citizens the liberty to practice religion as they choose.
This approach positively influences the thriving of migrants’ beliefs and religions in Taiwan, notably resulting in a significant increase in Islam. This is inextricably linked to the substantial influx of foreign laborers originating from predominantly Muslim nations like Indonesia.
The number of Indonesian foreign workers in Taiwan has consistently risen annually, as indicated by data from the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency. For instance, in 2020, there were 294,000 individuals, with subsequent years reflecting a continual upward trend.
According to the agency’s data, this year up to April, 28,972 Indonesian migrant workers arrived in Taiwan, contributing to the existing population of migrant workers here. Consequently, it could be asserted that the substantial presence of predominantly Muslim Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan has influenced the development of Islam in the region.
The influx of Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan significantly influences the expansion of the Muslim population, which was previously a tiny minority primarily comprised of Taiwanese of Hui ancestry. Accordingly, places of worship, including prayer rooms, are increasingly being incorporated into public venues such as shopping centers, transportation hubs and airports. The presence of Indonesian Muslim migrant laborers has led to a greater availability of halal food in Taiwan. Presently, about 200 restaurants and hotels in Taiwan provide halal-certified items, hence influencing the attraction of tourists from Muslim-majority nations to Taiwan.
The presence of Indonesian migrant workers has positively influenced the establishment of Muslim communities and networks in Taiwan, facilitating an accurate understanding of Islam among non-Muslim populations, and significantly promoting peaceful and tolerant Islamic values to ensure harmonious coexistence with the predominant Buddhist, Taoist and Christian communities in Taiwan.
Their presence is a catalyst for the government to advocate for inclusivity, reflecting Taiwan’s identity as a peace-loving nation that transcends groups, thereby fostering harmony among individuals of diverse religions, a hallmark of Taiwan recognized globally.
The government’s inclusive policies, such as allowing the Muslim community to celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha freely, provide a conducive environment for Muslim workers in Taiwan. This, in turn, presents an opportunity for the government to enhance tourism by positioning Taiwan as a Muslim-friendly destination, potentially attracting a more significant influx of Muslim tourists. This also portrays Taiwan as a democratic, peace-loving and prosperous nation, consistent with the slogan of this year’s Double Ten National Day.
M. Syaprin Zahidi is a senior lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang and is a doctoral student at Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government at the Universiti Utara Malaysia.
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