Religion in the Comoros

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The predominant

Christian minority. Although the constitution, as revised in 2018, removed the reference to a state religion in the 2009 constitution, stating simply that Sunni Islam is the source of national identity, a 2008 law promulgated in January 2013 outlawed the practice of other forms of Islam in the country.[1][2] Propagation of non-Islamic religions is prohibited.[3]

Overview

A mosque in Moroni, Comoros (left), and in Mutsamudu.

Islam is followed by over 98 percent of nearly 800,000

Shafi'i madhhab of Sunni Islam.[4] Following a 1999 military coup, the new constitution of Comoros that was ratified in December 2001 provided for "the equality of all concerning rights and duties without distinctions based on sex, origin, race, religion or belief".[5][3] The Article 41 of the new constitution also set up the Council of Ulemas (Islamic scholars) to assist the Government of Comoros in their decisions affecting the religious life in Comoros.[5] The Comoros' constitution states that the "Islamic nature of the state" can not be changed, and makes Islamic law binding on all citizens of Comoros.[3]

Abandoning Islam and converting to another religion is a crime, and like in Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Iran, this can lead to capital punishment.[6] The study of Islamic scriptures is mandatory in public schools, even for children of those who are not Muslims; however, the minorities have a right to operate their own school without the use of Islamic scriptures.[3][7]

Islam

Further information: Islam in the Comoros
A Comorian in traditional Muslim dress.

According to local legend, Islam was brought to Comoros in the 7th century by Mtswa Mwindza, ruler of Mbude on Ngazidja, and Muhammad ibn Uthman, son of

Uthman ibn Affan.[8] Their tombs are to be found in Ntsaweni, capital of Mbude.[8]

About 98% of the population in the

Malagasy origin, but there are also people of Indian and European
descent.

Comorians follow religious observances conscientiously and strictly adhere to religious orthodoxy.

ayat.[10]

Christianity

Further information: Christianity in the Comoros

In 2009, approximately 2% of the Comoros population practiced

Roman Catholics.[11][3] In 2020, the figure was 0.5%.[12]

Proselytizing of Christianity or any other non-Islamic religion is prohibited.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Projet de révision de la Constitution de l'Union des Comores" (PDF). Gouvernement de l'Union des Comores. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  2. ^ Loi n° 08-011/AU du 24 juin 2008, portant reglementation generale de pratiques religieuses en Union des Comores
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-59884-134-3
    .
  4. ISBN 978-0-8108-2819-3
    .
  5. ^ a b "Comoros 2001 (rev. 2009)" (PDF). Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  6. ISBN 978-0-8028-2416-5
    .
  7. ISBN 978-0-8108-2819-3
    .
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-0-8108-2819-3
    ., Quote: "Islam - the official and predominant religion of the Comoros, (...) According to local legend, Islam was first introduced to the islands in 650 AD (...)".
  9. ^
    OCLC 32508646. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link
    )
  10. ^ "marriage feast - Translation into Arabic - examples English | Reverso Context". context.reverso.net. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  11. ^ Catholic Hierarchy - Vicariate Apostolic of Archipelago of the Comores
  12. ^ The ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-01

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook.

CIA
.

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