Paper short abstract:

Statistically, Indonesian become the largest number immigrant worker in Taiwan, while Indonesia is known as the biggest Muslim population in the world. This paper will discuss how the religious life of Indonesian Muslim community and how they preserve their identity as Muslim in Taiwan.

Paper long abstract:

At first, Taiwan and its Chinese culture is not associated with Islam as religion and Muslim people. However, with the aging population in Taiwan and growing number of immigrant worker, the demographic of Taiwan is changing. Numerous immigrant workers (mainly from South East Asian countries) come to Taiwan in informal sector. In terms of number of foreign workers in Taiwan by March 2013, Indonesia has the highest number (44%). Indonesia also known with its biggest Muslim population in the world, so we can assumed that those Indonesian workers in Taiwan mainly are Muslim. In order to preserve their identity and cultural life, the Indonesian Muslim in Taiwan formed various religious-based community.

The objective of this study is to know how the religious life of Indonesian Muslim and how they preserve their identity as Muslim in Taiwan. This topic not only important for the Indonesian or Muslim in Taiwan, but also for the Taiwanese society itself, to face more diversified people and culture. Qualitative approach on data collection was undertaken, using literature review followed by interview with Indonesian Muslim Community figure, Indonesian Muslims and expert on Islamic Studies in Taiwan.