Islamisation of Africa
A major world religion
Contrary to common understanding, while most followers of Islam live in the Arab world, it is Africa that has the largest share of Islamic believers. About 50 percent of the African population believe in Islam, far more than Christians or other religions.
Carried by the exiled
Christian clergy have, over many centuries, in holy wars of faith, tried to spread Christianity. Up until the 20th century, missionaries around the world worked towards converting people. Very different, and much more peaceful, was the spread of Islam. In the 7th century, the faith spread to the African continent for the first time. The people of the Umayyads, who were driven out of the Middle East, peacefully introduced Islam to Africa. Spreading their faith was not their primary goal. From Egypt to Tunisia and even onto the Spanish mainland, Islam spread over the following centuries. Missionary wars were not part of Islamic strategy, although they did occur.
Spread only centuries later
For a long time, Islam remained a faith for the northernmost countries of Africa. Again, it was the Sahara that successfully prevented the spread of the faith to the south. It was not until the end of the 11th century that Islam was first spread to Central Africa. The Empire of Ghana, a legendary empire on the southwestern border of the Sahara, was invaded by followers of the Almoravids in this century. They exploited the hospitality of the empire and conquered the capital, after which the population converted to Islam. This approach is one of the few examples of hostile conversion by Islamist followers.
Spread by traders
After Islam was first spread south of the Sahara, it quickly conquered the entire continent. It was mostly traveling merchants of the Islamic faith who carried the religion to all parts of the country. The Trans-Saharan trade, which brought Africa closer together in the Middle Ages, ensured a rapid spread of Islam. From West Africa, Islam was carried via the west coast to the Horn of Africa and South Africa. It was not until the 19th century that Islam had conquered the entire continent.
The current situation
Among the Islamist followers in Africa today, there are many different denominations. Schools of law are widespread, especially in Egypt, Sudan and Somalia, they are often found. In the last centuries, Islam has been combined with many beliefs and traditions of the indigenous population. Not many followers know the Koran, the holy scripture of Islam. Rather, it is regional differences that make this faith in Africa very diverse and individual. Over the past centuries, the black continent has had a major influence on Islam, which spread as far as Asia.
