Islam in Eswatini
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Islam in Swaziland
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secular nature of Eswatini's constitution, Muslims
are free to proselytize and build places of worship in the country.
The nation is home to over a million people, of which about 2% identify as
Sunni branch of Islam.[1] Islam in Eswatini probably dates back to the colonial period when some Muslims settled in the country from other countries under the dominion of the British Empire. In the post-colonial period, Islam became a officially recognized religion.[2]
History
While Muslims settled in Eswatini during the colonial period, an active community emerged around the early 1960s when Malawian Muslims arrived in Eswatini to work in asbestos mines. A few locals converted and Malawi-Swazi communities formed in some small towns. Islam became a recognized religion in 1972 by the approval of Sobhuza II. Muslims since then have partaken in the national Good Friday festivities to pray for the well-being of the monarch and many Islamic institutions have been established in urban areas.[2]
Population
According to the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community claims 250 members in the country.[5]
Law and politics
Muslim marriages in Eswatini are not included in the Marriage Act of 1964 which governs civil marriages. However, according to local
custom marriages that are allowed in the constitution which guarantees "freedom of worship".[4]
Mosques
See also
References
- ^ "Eswatini". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ ISBN 0-7007-1124-4.
- ^ "Eswatini". CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ a b Zulu, Phathizwe (26 November 2016). "Swaziland marriage law leaves Muslims in legal quagmire". Anadolu Agency.
- ISBN 1-882494-51-2
External links
- Mbabane Islamic Centre Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
- CIA Profile of religion in Eritrea