Islam in Africa

Made by: Brandon Upchurch, Ted Villanyi, and Danielle Webb

History

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem by Florian Seiffert, used under

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
by Florian Seiffert, used under

Before Islam was practiced in Africa, Christianity was the state religion. The religion was going through an evolution towards orthodoxy when people of the new Arab empire decided they wanted to start their own religion. Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik is the one who left an idea of the new religion behind for other people through the inscriptions of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem in 691. He called the religion “Islam” and believed this religion held much superiority over Christianity.

The Maghreb in Africaby Anonymous, used under

The Maghreb in Africa
by Anonymous, used under

After the religion was established in Africa, orthodoxy had to be created associated to Islam as well. As this was occurring, two sides to the religion were emerging. Either they rejected the authority of caliphs and scholars altogether and made the fulfillment of all laws and duties obligatory on Muslims as individuals (Kharijis) or they disapproved of the caliphal retreat from law and thought of it as a betrayal. The second position was taken up by the Shi’ites.

Muhammadan Africa - 1899by Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston and J. G. Bartholomew, used under

Muhammadan Africa – 1899
by Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston and J. G. Bartholomew, used under

The first Shi’ite dynasty in the history of Africa was founded in the first Arab dynasty in the Maghreb, which is the region of Africa north of the Sahara and west of the Nile.
The remaining Christian population ended up surrendering to the Arabs in Africa around 711, making Islam the main religion practiced in most countries there. The Kharijis also began to separate from the Shi’ites into a couple of small mountain and oasis states. They maintained permanent residences and made mosques in the northern market towns of Africa and ended up being the first group to bring Islam to western Africa.

 

 

Islam in Africa Today

Islam in Africaby Bismika Allahuma, used under

Islam in Africa
by Bismika Allahuma, used under

Islam is still a very influential religion today in Africa, particularly in Northern Africa. Its existence is evident in Africa and below are some issues and news regarding Islam in Africa today.

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Islam in Africa today is not the same as Islam practiced in other parts of the world; it is practiced in a unique African way. It first distinguished itself by translating the Quran into many African languages, including Hausa, Kiswahili, and Wolof. Not only was it just translated, but the place of women was also modified. Islam in African can even further be characterized by the different sub-regions in Africa that practice Islam, particularly in the way each regions worships Allah.

allah

Allah
by acizane nacizane, used under

In Africa today, there is much evidence of Islam still growing in Africa. Recently, there has been mosques, Islamic attires and writings, Islamic bookshops, Islamic schools and universities, and Islamic health centers and hospitals now seen everywhere and are continuing to be built. These projects have been occurring partly due to the fact that leaders in Africa practice Islam.

Africa's first mosqueby Farrukh, used under

Africa’s first mosque
by Farrukh, used under

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank Group (AfDB).by OECD Development Centre, used under

Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
by OECD Development Centre, used under

Islam views is also influencing the banking world in Africa today. Africa is on track to becoming the leading Islamic baking continent in the world. This has to do with the large amount of African Muslims, 400 million, and the fact that Africa has a very large population of people that do not belong to a bank. That being said it is a great opportunity to encourage people to practice the Islamic banking which includes being consistent with the principles of Sharia. One advocator of building more banks in Africa is Donald

 

 

 

Country of the Week: MOZAMBIQUE!

Mozambiqueby F Mira, used under

Mozambique
by F Mira, used under

Muslim presence first emerged within coastal settlements formed as a result of trade routes. The early arrivals of the Muslims in that area were referred to as mwinyi. Over time Muslim’s were frequently traveling the Indian Ocean, creating a stronger presence in Mozambique. The trade alliance between the Mozambicans and Muslims established a bridge between the two cultures. “Already at the beginning of the 1700th century it was estimated that there were 15,000 Muslims in the Cape Delgado region and some 20,000 in the coastal hinterland of Mozambique Island.” (477) Yao chiefs had learned to embrace the Islamic faith. In the late 1800s Qur’an schools and been established in order to recruit disciples and students into the faith. The increase of Islamization was fueled by the desire to acquire a closer association with Muslim trading partners along the coast. In the early 1900s, the depth of Muslim presence increased dramatically with the construction of the railroad from Lumbo. This enabled Muslims to easily access the inner land of Mozambique. “The statistics available indicate that there were around 66,000 Muslims in Mozambique in the mid 1950s.” (480) The presence of the Islamic influence became very clear in the adoption of their customary laws such as pre-nuptial agreements, property regulations, marital duties, and inheritance. (480)


References:

Pouwels, R L, & Levtzion, N. (2001). History of Islam in Africa. Ohio University Press. http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.butler.edu/lib/butler/docDetail.action?docID=10606571

Maqsood, R. W. (2008). Need to know? islam. HarperCollins Publishers. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.butler.edu/entry.do?id=9178137

Von Sicard, S. S. (2008). Islam in Mozambique: Some Historical and Cultural Perspectives. Journal Of Muslim Minority Affairs, 28(3), 473-490. doi:10.1080/13602000802548201