Korean man opens musalla at his residence to serve Muslim migrant workers

Korean man opens musalla at his residence to serve Muslim migrant workers
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A Korean man has opened a musalla at his home in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, to serve Muslim migrant workers employed mainly in the local fisheries, Arab News reported. Nasir Hong-suk Seong, 35, converted part of his grandfather’s house into a prayer space after moving to Jeju earlier this year. The island’s only mosque is located in Jeju City, over an hour away by car, making it difficult for fish farm workers on 24-hour shifts to attend Friday prayers.

Jeju Island, often called the “Hawaii of South Korea,” has seen an increase in migrant workers from Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Official records show 3,567 migrant workers in Jeju Province in 2024, with an estimated 1,500 employed in fish farms near Seogwipo, about half of whom are Muslim.

Seong, who converted to Islam in 2023 after hosting Muslim guests in Incheon, created the musalla to provide a clean, welcoming place for prayer and rest. Workers regularly use the space, appreciating the opportunity to practice their faith and connect with their identity.