Islam in Haiti consists of a small minority of Muslims forming less than 1% of the total population, composed of locals and foreign immigrants.
Islam was introduced from Africa during the slave trade period (starting 16th century), but orthodox religious beliefs declined in Haiti in the years that followed.
[citation needed] The history of Islam on the island of Hispaniola (which Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic) began with slavery in Haïti.
[citation needed] Additionally, a revisionist history of Dutty Boukman, whose death is largely considered the start of the Haitian Revolution, suggests that he was Muslim.
[1] In the early portion of the 20th century, a wave of Christian Arab immigrants came to the Americas, in which a surprisingly noticeable amount settled in Haiti (and other countries as well, including Lebanon and Syria).
[citation needed] In 2000, Nawoon Marcellus, a member of Fanmi Lavalas from San Raphael, became the first Muslim elected to the Chamber of Deputies of Haïti.