Religion in Niger
According to the 2012 census,
Other religions practiced in Niger include Animism and Christianity.Islam
Islam in Niger accounts for the vast majority of the nation's religious adherents. The faith is practiced by at least 95% of the population, although this figure varies by source and percentage of population who are classified as Animist. The official 2012 census found that 99.3% of the population self-identified as Muslim.
African Traditional Religion
A small percentage of the population practices Animism or
Christianity
Christianity first contacted Niger with French colonial expansion, and its adherents include local believers from the educated, the elite, and colonial families, as well as immigrants from neighboring coastal countries, particularly
In 2007 Christians were mainly present in Maradi, Dogondoutchi, Niamey and other urban centers with expatriate populations.[7]
The first Catholic mission was founded in 1931, while the first Protestant missionaries came to Zinder in 1924 and to Tibiri a few years later. In the late 1970s, there were some 12,000 Catholic and 3,000 Protestant converts in Niger, comprising the Christian population alongside foreigners.[6]
Baháʼí Faith in Niger
The
No religion
The 2012 census also found 0.1% of the population (23,048 respondents) declaring they had no religion.[1]
Legal status
The Constitution of Niger provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice, as long as persons respect public order, social peace, and national unity.[citation needed]
Interfaith relations
Niger has a history of good relations between the majority Muslim believers and the much smaller minority faiths. In 2008, the
In January 2015 Muslim protestors burned churches and cars and attacked French-linked businesses across Niger on Saturday, in violent protests against the publication of a cartoon of Muhammad on the cover of Charlie Hebdo magazine.[14]
Freedom of religion
In 2023 the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom.[15]
See also
- Islam in Niger
- Christianity in Niger
- Roman Catholicism in Niger
- Baháʼí Faith in Niger
- Romani mythology
References
- ^ a b c d e Recensement General de la Population et de L'Habitat 2012 (PDF). Institut National de la Statistique, Republique du Niger. 2015. pp. 44–50.
- ^ "Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation". The World’s Muslims: Unity and Diversity. Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. August 9, 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ^ a b "The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity" (PDF). Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. August 9, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ^ World Religions Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ "US State Dept 2021 report". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
- ^ ISBN 0-8108-1229-0pp. 156-7, 193-4.
- ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (November 17, 2010). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ World Religions Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ "Overview Of World Religions". General Essay on the Religions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Division of Religion and Philosophy, University of Cumbria. Archived from the original on 2007-12-09. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
- ^ House of Justice, Universal (1966). "Ridván Letter, 1966". Ridvan Messages from the Universal House of Justice. Baháʼí Library Online. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
- ^ Hassall, Graham. "Notes on Research on National Spiritual Assemblies". Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies. Baháʼí Library Online. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
- ^ World Religions Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ Niger's Catholic Archbishop hails good Christian – Muslims cohabitation, APA-Niamey, 2008-09-29. [dead link]
- TheGuardian.com. 17 January 2015.
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08