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Islam In Africa




The precise number of Muslims in Africa is unknown as statistics regarding religious demography in Africa are incomplete. According to the World Book Encyclopedia , Islam is the largest religion in Africa, with Christianity having the second largest number of adherents. According to Encyclopedia Britannica , Islam is the largest religion in Africa with about 45 % of the population being Muslims, in contrast to 40 % being Christians and less than 15 % being non-religious or adherents of African Religions . Christians have challenged these figures, citing as evidence, the massive conversion in the subsaharan region, which has driven the christian population to more than 60 per cent. However, while acknowledging the dramatic rise of christianity in the continent, facts are scarce to back up the percentage increase claim. The long and rich history in of these religions in the continent has proved to be the source of numerous conflicts, primarily in countries where there is no clear majority, such as Tanzania, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire.


HISTORY

The history of Islam in Africa begins in the earliest days of , West Africa and East Africa . This has provided an increasing difference between the culture and laws of different parts of Africa.


ISLAMIC POPULATION IN AFRICA



















































Islam in Africa
Region Total Population Muslims % Muslim % of Muslim total
Central Africa 83,121,055 12,582,592 15.138% 0.852%
East Africa 193,741,900 66,381,242 34.263% 4.497%
North Africa 202,151,323 180,082,076 89.083% 12.199%
Southern Africa 137,092,019 8,935,043 6.518% 0.605%
West Africa 268,997,245 133,994,675 49.813% 9.077%
Total 885,103,542 401,975,628 45.41% 27.23%



ISLAMIC POPULATION IN AFRICA BY COUNTRY AND POPULATION PERCENTAGE



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