Islam in Zambia
The arrival of Islam in Zambia dates after the 12th century onwards when Muslims established emirates on the coast of East Africa. During that period Muslim slave merchants extended their business to the hinterland regions reaching Zambia in the period of the Omani dynasty Al Bu Said. Muslim traders entered Zambia from their trading bases on the coast of Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique.
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Many Muslims entered Zambia during the colonial period, primarily came from the Indian subcontinent establishing themselves along the railways in the central part of the country from Livingstone to Lusaka.[1]
Demographics
Muslims account for less than 1% of the total population of 17 million.[2] Although Zambia is officially a "Christian Nation" there is freedom of religion and Muslims generally are accepted in the society. The vast majority of Muslims in Zambia are Sunni. A small Ismaili Shia community is also present. There are about 500 people belonging to the Ahmadiyya sect in Islam.[3]
Most Zambian Muslims are of Indian descent though there is a significant native convert community. Immigrants from West Africa and the Middle East comprise the rest of the Muslim population.[4]
References
- Juergensmeyer, Mark; Roof, Wade Clark (2011). Encyclopedia of Global Religion. SAGE Publications. pp. 1399–1400. ISBN 978-1-4522-6656-5.
- International Religious Freedom Report 2010 - Zambia
- Some basics of religious education in Zambia. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- Taylor, Scott D. (2006). Culture and Customs of Zambia. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-313-33246-3.