Islam in Malawi
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History
Islam arrived in Malawi with the
During the colonial era, the authorities in the country feared that Islam posed the greatest threat, as an ideology of resistance, to their rule.[12] This view was shared by Christian missionaries, who greatly feared that Islam could unite Africans in hostilities and uprisings against colonial rule.[13]
The Yao converted to Islam in the 19th century, comprising the largest Muslim group in Malawi since.[14] Some Chewa also converted to Islam during the same period.[15]
The 1970s witnessed the start of an Islamic revival among Muslims in Malawi, as well as among Muslims across the globe.
Demography
A large number of Muslims in Malawi come from the Yao people,[21] who are described as "the most important source of Islam in the country".[22] Even before their conversion to Islam, many Yao chiefs used Swahili Muslims as scribes and advisers.[23] As a result of their strong trading contacts with Swahili-Arabs, many Yao adopted Islam and the two groups had cases of intermarriages in the past.[24] The Yao form the largest majority south and east of Lake Malawi.[25] Muslims can also be found among other groups, such as the lakeside Chewa people[10] and Indian[26] and other Asian Malawians.[2] Muslims in the country have been described as a "vocal and powerful community."[13]
In general, most Malawian Muslims are
According to the 2018 census, over half of Malawian Muslims live in Mangochi and Machinga district. Muslims comprised 72.6% of the population in Mangochi district and 66.9% of the population in Machinga.[28]
Notable Muslims
An important Malawian Muslim is Bakili Muluzi, the first (and only) freely elected President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004. Another important Malawian Muslim was the late Sidik Mia, who was a minister in the Tonse Alliance elected in the 2020 Malawi tripatite Elections and died in 2021.
Cassim Chilumpha is a prominent politician that has served as Vice-President of Malawi.[15] Atupele Muluzi, son of Bakili Muluzi, is also a notable politician who is Muslim.[15]
See also
References
- ISBN 9789990802498.
- ^ ISBN 9783631587171.
- ^ CIA statistics
- ISBN 9780810859616.
- ISBN 9789990802498.
- ^ "2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census". www.nsomalawi.mw. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
- ^ "The Malawi Religion Project (MRP) | Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH)". Malawi.pop.upenn.edu. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ HANS-PETER KOHLER. "Cohort Profile: The Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH)". Repository.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ISBN 9783631587171.
- ^ ISBN 9780810859616.
- ^ "Malawi Slave Routes and Dr. David Livingstone Trail".
- ISBN 9781847010506.
- ^ ISBN 9780810859616.
- ISBN 978-0-253-31271-6.
- ^ S2CID 226444450, retrieved 2023-02-10
- ISBN 9789990802498.
- ^ "Proseletysation in Malawi". Archived from the original on 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- ISBN 9789990802443.
- ^ Islamic organisations in Malawi
- ISBN 9780821443668.
- ISBN 9780253312716.
- ISBN 9780521657020.
- ISBN 9789990887945.
- ISBN 9780810859616.
- ISBN 9781842770931.
- ISBN 9781842770931.
- ^ "2014 Report on International Religious Freedom - Malawi".
- ^ a b "Malawi". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
Further reading
- David S. Bone (2000). Malawi's Muslims: Historical Perspectives. African Books Collective. p. 220. ISBN 9789990816150.
- David S. Bone (2021). Introduction to Islam for Malawi. African Books Collective. p. 174. ISBN 9789996060908.
- Ian D. Dicks (2012). An African Worldview: The Muslim Amacinga Yawo of Southern Malaŵi. African Books Collective. p. 510. ISBN 9789990887518.