Government officials also indicated the law was designed to counter perceived foreign influence in mosques. Angola The Constitution of Angola provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. [103] In 2007 the South African Law Reform Commission received submissions from the South African Pagan Rights Alliance and the Traditional Healers Organisation requesting the investigation of the constitutionality of the act and on 23 March 2010 the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development approved a South African Law Reform Commission project to review witchcraft legislation. For example, a committee composed of members of the High Council for Islamic Affairs and the Directorate of Religious Affairs in the Ministry of the Interior organizes the Hajj and the Umra. In principle, the grand imam has the authority to restrict proselytizing by other Islamic groups throughout the country, regulate the content of sermons in mosques, and exert control over activities of Muslim charities operating in the country. [72] The violence ended after the military of Guinea imposed a curfew, and President Cond made a televised appeal for calm. Their impact is not only limited to the private sphere of the believers but extends to the public sphere as well. [6], The Ahmadiyya movement in Egypt, which numbers up to 50,000 adherents in the country,[9] was established in 1922[45] but has seen an increase in hostility and government repression as of the 21st century. Are Muslim countries more violent? - The Washington Post 24 June 2019 Arabs are increasingly saying they are no longer religious, according to the largest and most in-depth survey undertaken of the Middle East and North Africa. Read about our approach to external linking. The public schools remain secular, although the Ministry of Islamic Affairs instituted a program in which religious leaders visit the secular schools for an hour to answer religious questions in non-mandatory events. The Grand Mufti's position is attached to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, and he advises the Government on matters of Islamic faith and ensures that Islamic laws are respected. [37], Article 1 of the Constitution of Djibouti names Islam as the sole state religion, and Article 11 provides for the equality of citizens of all faiths and freedom of religious practice. Members of these groups were not harassed, but two leaders were convicted in 2006 of child abuse and sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment. Totals for each country do not always sum to 100 because 'Don't know' and 'Refused to respond' have not been included. [13], The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice. Four Maps that Explain Islam in Africa - American Security Project Most people across the region supported the right of a woman to become prime minister or president. [40], There are approximately 40 private Islamic schools nationwide, which are managed by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Education. Muslim-Majority Countries | Pew Research Center In the Middle East, the non-Arab countries of Iran and Turkey are the largest Muslim-majority countries, while Egypt and Nigeria in Africa have the same status. There is no provision for opting out of religious instruction courses at the primary level. People of the Book are looked upon by Muslims as God-fearing, God-loving, and God-conscious. The status of religious freedom in Africa varies from country to country. Madagascar: 10% - 15% of the overall population. The state religion of Morocco is Islam. [117], The constitution of Zimbabwe prohibits religious discrimination and guarantees the freedom of religion and practice in Zimbabwe. [18], All public schools have religious education classes taught by government-funded teachers. [18] For certain civil cases, such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, where all parties involved are Muslim, the constitution provides for special qadi courts to adjudicate based on Islamic law. They report disruption of private worship, mass arrests of participants at religious weddings, prayer meetings, and other gatherings. PDF Islam in Africa [24], The Guinean government's Secretariat of Religious Affairs aims to promote better relations among religious denominations and ameliorate interethnic tensions. Muslim NGOs, Zakat and the Provision of Social Welfare in - Springer There exists a minority of Ibadi who mostly resides in the M'zab Valley region. Most societal pressure and discrimination occurs behind closed doors at the village level. The constitution establishes the country as an Islamic republic and decrees that Islam is the religion of its citizens and the State. [100][101] The Equality Act does not apply to unfair discrimination in the workplace, which is covered by the Employment Equity Act. Islam arrived in Algeria with the Umayyad dynasty in the wake of the invasion of Uqba Ibn Nafi. [27], Interfaith dialogue occurs regularly, and citizens respect each other's religious beliefs, including those of syncretic nature. Bashir's government had also targeted Shia Muslims and those engaging in proselytization to faiths other than Islam. A 1961 constitution established Islam as the state religion, and later governments have maintained this policy. 4 Akintunde, E. Akinade, "The Legacy of Arab-Islam in Africa: A Quest for Inter-Religious Dialogue," Muslim World, January 1, 2007, p.1. This has resulted in several Rastafarian children being denied access to public schools, although the majority concede to shaving their heads and complying with the school's rules. [78] The Liberia Muslim Women Network reported that this practice persisted despite other types of head coverings (including traditional garments and habits worn by Catholic nuns) being allowed.[78]. Among the many reasons that lead people (Muslims in this case) to dishonesty are poverty and illiteracy. It is a battle within the Muslim world. [84], There is tension between Hindus and Muslims in Mauritius. The order does not stipulate any procedure for arranging special accommodations, and there have been reports of Catholic and Islamic schools that have not accommodated the religious observance of students of other religions. Overview Partners Documents & Reports Context The Islamic finance industry has expanded rapidly over the past decade, growing at 10-12% annually. [50], In a series of court cases from 2006 to 2008, judges ruled that the government should issue ID cards with a dash instead of religious affiliation for Bah citizens. While some time limits are officially imposed on public religious activities, Evangelical Christian groups often hold activities outside the prescribed period without government intervention. France has been militarily engaged in Mali since 2013, supported by other European countries and the U.S. as well as African countries under the G5 Sahel Joint Task Force, but has not achieved any . The law establishes no state religion, but the government gives preference to the Roman Catholic Church and the Reformed Church of Equatorial Guinea, which are the only religious groups not required to register their organization or activities with the Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs, and Penitentiary Institutions (MJRAPI)[21], The government provides funds to the Catholic Church and its schools for educational programming. Libya has a restrictive social environment, including efforts designed to prevent women from traveling alone outside the country. Muslim Majority Countries 2023 - World Population Review [24], Private Muslim and Christian schools are prevalent, and some Muslim schools receive funding from the local government. [51] The issue is presumed to have been resolved as of 2009.[51]. [87] 12 states in Nigeria use a sharia-based penal code, which can include penalties for apostasy. [13] There were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice. [81] Muslim community leaders have also criticized Madagascar's naturalization process as disproportionately barring Muslims from citizenship. In practice unregistered religious groups operated unhindered. These are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Thailand, the Central African Republic and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. [10], Religious pluralism is enshrined by Malawi society, and members of Christian, Muslim, and Hindu faiths regularly engage in business and civil society together.[10]. Region: Middle East-North Africa | Pew Research Center While Ujamaa was abandoned as a state project in 1985, and religious discord has risen somewhat since then,[114] academic and NGO sources credit Ujamaa for contributing to a climate of religious freedom and relative social stability in Tanzania. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2011. [92], The government subsidizes some schools affiliated with different religious groups. Religious groups must obtain the approval of chiefs before constructing houses of worship. Lebanon, Libya and Egypt ranked Vladimir Putin's policies ahead of Erdogan's. Laws of inheritance are principally based on requirements in sharia, but there are some provisions that allow for exceptions as outlined in the Code of Personal Status. Today, the continent's various populations and individuals are mostly adherents of Christianity, Islam, and to a lesser extent several traditional African religions. But when it comes to domestic life, most - including a majority of women - believe that husbands should always have the final say on family decisions. Hybrid grant-aided schools are managed by private, usually religious, institutions, but their teaching staffs are paid by the government. [10], Rastafarian children face obstacles to obtaining education, as school children in Malawi are generally required to shave their heads, and Rastafarian religious practice requires them to wear dreadlocks. The law does not make accommodations for religious minorities whose faith does not permit them to comply with this requirement. Region: Sub-Saharan Africa | Pew Research Center The Al-Azhar University has denounced the Ahmadis[46] and Ahmadis have been hounded by police along with other Muslim groups deemed to be deviant under Egypt's defamation laws. [86] Islam and Christianity are the two major religions. The equality of citizens regardless of religion is also stressed repeatedly in other articles as well. [25] According to the federal Ministry of Religious Affairs, more than 99 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim. If you cannot see the chart above, click to launch interactive content. Sufism plays a strong role in religious life and practice for many African MuslimsSufi Muslims can be Sunni or Shi'a. [95], Intermarriage between religious groups is common in Sierra Leone, and many families have members of more than one religion. [5][6] Groups facing significant levels of legal discrimination in Africa include Muslims (in majority Christian countries), Christians (in majority Muslim countries),[7] Bah Faith practitioners,[8] Ahmadiyya Muslims (in Muslim countries),[9] and Rastafarians. When asked which countries posed the biggest threat to their stability and national security, after Israel, the US was identified as the second biggest threat in the region as a whole, and Iran was third. Although the government does not explicitly prohibit religious instruction in public schools, such instruction is not part of the overall public school curriculum, nor is it common. [61], There have been isolated incidents of violence between religious groups. Because they greatly benefited from the con. [10] It also specifies that eliminating religious intolerance is a goal of education in Malawi. Top 10 Least Religious Countries (by percentage) - Pew Research 2020 Czech Republic - 78.4% North Korea - 71.3% [67], Ghanaian society is very tolerant of differences in religion. The Ministry of Interior may also intervene in religious organizations to resolve internal conflicts about property, finances, or leadership within religious groups. Muslims who live in non-Muslim countries are of three kinds You can find out more details about the methodology on the Arab Barometer website. Non-Christian faiths account for only 1.1% of the country' population while the rest are non-religious or non-affiliated to any religion. The licensing requirements for foreign groups are the same as those for domestic religious denominations. In Tripoli some militias reportedly imposed restrictions on women's dress and movement, and punished men for behavior they deemed to be un-Islamic. The RADA-SDF has also been accused of deliberately destroying Sufi shrines during military clashses, although it denies these claims. [33], The Constitution of the Central African Republic provides for the freedom of religion, and the government generally permitted adherents of all religious groups to worship without interference. [91], A government decree bans individuals from wearing full-face Islamic veils in public. View history The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation founded in 1969 has 57 members, 56 of which are also member states of the United Nations, with 48 countries being Muslim majority countries. [77] The government provides extensive support for schools operated by religious groups, including paying and certifying all teachers. Muslim Population by Country 2023 - World Population Review [116] The constitution also bans the creation of political parties based on religion. Application of Sharia by country - Wikipedia The project interviewed 25,407 people face-to-face in 10 countries and the Palestinian territories. [91], The constitution of Rwanda and other laws prohibit religious discrimination and provide for freedom of religion and worship, and bars religious political parties as well as the participation of religious organizations in politics in Rwanda. [23] Several countries provide funding for religious institutions and/or pilgrimages. The government denied directing such actions. North Africa/Southwest Africa (The African Transition Zone) - Quizlet The government does not regulate religious education in private schools but must approve employment of headmasters and teachers at those schools.[4]. Size of Muslim Population Per Country. The Arab Barometer is a research network based at Princeton University. [96], Islam has been a core part of Somali national identity for the entirety of its modern history. Religious persecution is largely carried out by groups not affiliated with the Nigerian government, such as Boko Haram. [17], The government created an Islamic Forum with the goal of standardizing the practice of Islam in Niger and preventing the use of Islamic institutions to spread Islamic extremism. In order to learn about the experiences of Muslims living in non-Muslim countries, a historian surveys Muslims who have immigrated to France from North Africa and the Middle East to learn more about how life in Europe has influenced them. The survey was carried out by the research network, Arab Barometer. While most African countries have non-governmental Islamic/Sharia courts to which Muslims can appeal to settle personal issues rather than using the civil/common law legal apparatus, some . [5], While the study of Islam is not compulsory in public schools, the tenets of Islam are sometimes taught in conjunction with the Arabic language in public schools at the middle school level. Many public primary schools require a religious education course focusing on Christianity but covering other religious groups, emphasizing religious tolerance. Islamic Finance - World Bank Group Nigeria is nearly equally divided between Christianity and Islam, though the exact ratio is uncertain. These schools must register with the Ministry of Education (Gabon), which ensures they meet the same standards as public schools. [15][17] These courts are usually present in addition to secular courts,[18][19] and typically have a subordinate role, although this is not always the case. [111], The government of Tanzania and the semiautonomous government of Zanzibar both recognize religious freedom as a principle and make efforts to protect it. [5], The Grand Mufti of Comoros is part of the government and manages a department that handles issues concerning religion and religious administration. No discrimination shall prevail because The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [17], The establishment of any private school by a religious association must be approved by various government bodies. [78] This campaign has been supported by the United People's Party, which is currently an opposition party in the Liberian government. Today, Sharia-compliant financial assets are estimated at roughly US$2 trillion, covering bank and non-bank financial institutions, capital markets, money markets and insurance ("Takaful"). [78], Starting in 2015, there has been a political campaign to pass a constitutional amendment that would name Liberia a "Christian nation". Pewforum.org. The government distinguishes between witchcraft and traditional indigenous religious practices; witchcraft is defined by the law as attempts to do harm by spiritual means and is a common explanation for diseases. [12], Members of the clergy regularly use their pulpits to criticize government policies, though church leaders report self-censorship regarding particularly sensitive issues. [18], Atheism is greatly stigmatized in Kenya. [116], In December 2016, the Uganda Police Force raided two Salafi mosques in Kampala and arrested fourteen individuals for suspected involvement in the November 2016 killing of Sheikh Mohammed Kigundu, a Muslim cleric. By contrast, in seven of the 11 places surveyed, half or more approved of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's approach. [92], In 2017, two attacks on members of a Pentecostal church in the Huye District of Southern Province were reported. [18], In 2017, the Somalia-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab carried out attacks in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu Counties and said it had targeted non-Muslims because of their faith. [61], Political parties based on religious denominations are not allowed. The number of those considering leaving for North America has risen, and while Europe is less popular than it was it remains the top choice for those people thinking of leaving the region. [73] There are some private schools operated by religious groups. BBC Arabic are covering this subject all this week. Laws prohibit the promotion of discrimination, hatred, or violence along religious lines. [80] Mass graves of executed Coptic Christians have been found in areas previously held by the Islamic State. [94], The government offers financial assistance to religious organizations for the purpose of repairing religious buildings. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Analysis | Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be Numbers and Percentage of Muslims in African Countries Christianity is the religion of the vast majority of the population, with Catholicism as the largest single religious group. Marriage between persons of different religious groups remained common. List of countries by Muslim population | Religion Wiki | Fandom Students are able to opt out at the secondary level beginning at age 14, when they begin to choose their courses. Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems The exception was Algeria where less than 50% of those questioned agreed that a woman head of state was acceptable. [16], In June 2017, during Ramadan, police arrested five individuals in Bizerte, who were subsequently sentenced to one month in prison for public indecency for eating or smoking in public during the daytime. The law does not recognize marriages between Muslim women and non-Muslim men; it does however recognise marriages between Muslim men and non-Muslim women. They have been conducting surveys like this since 2006. Such groups are considered in Islam to be People of the Book. [70], There were 3 days of ethno-religious fighting in the city of Nzerekore in July 2013. [13], Several religious denominations operate primary and secondary schools. Despite a general respect for religious freedom, however, there is still a degree of societal discrimination, especially toward non-Christian faiths. Premium Statistic. [16], In September 2017, the government abolished a law prohibiting Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men. Although the government does not publish official records on school funding, many Islamic schools were commonly understood to be financed by Arab donors (governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals), particularly from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Libya. It is of Arab world opinion, so does not include Iran or Israel, though it does include the Palestinian territories. Malawi: approximately 13% of the overall population. [16], The constitution of Uganda prohibits religious discrimination, establishes the freedom of conscience, and establishes that Uganda does not have a state religion. The state has developed separate curricula for a number of world religions, including Christianity and Islam. Which Countries Are Apartheid States? | Karen Hurvitz | The Blogs The curriculum for secondary school students also includes references to the history of Judaism and Christianity. [31], The government does not fund religious schools or require them to pay taxes unless they conduct for-profit activities. The Muslim population in the Middle East-North Africa region is expected to grow by more than a third (37%) in the next 20 years. Respondents could choose more than one option. Generally, the judiciary in most areas relies on xeer (traditional and customary law), sharia, and the penal code. The law provides for the establishment and operation of religious institutions and requires practicing religious groups to register with the government; registration requirements were simple and implemented in a nondiscriminatory manner. [116], According to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, the government discriminates against Muslims when hiring government officials. [94], The constitution of Sierra Leone provides for the freedom of conscience and thus for freedom of religion. [44], Coptic Christians, an ethnoreligious group indigenous to Egypt, face discrimination at multiple levels of the government, ranging from a disproportional representation in government ministries to laws that limit their ability to build or repair churches.