- Islam in Comoros
According to the
2006 estimate by theU.S. Department of State , roughly 98% of the population in theComoros areMuslim . Islam and its institutions have helped to integrate Comorian society and provide identification with a world beyond the islands' shores. Most adherents areArab -Swahili or Persian, but there are also people of Indian descent.History
Local legend claims Islam was brought to the islands during
Muhammad ’s lifetime, brought by two Comorian nobles, Fey Bedja Mwamba and Mtswa Mwandze, who visitedMecca . Historical evidence suggests Arab merchants and exiled PersianShirazi princes first introduced the religion. Islam has long played a central role in the Comoros. Ruling families learned Arabic, performed "Hajj ", and maintained ties with other Muslim communities, such asKilwa ,Zanzibar andOman . SeveralSufi "tariqa ", including theShadhili , theQadiriya , and theRifa'i , are also active.Hassan ibn Issa, a 16th century Shirazi chief who claimed descent from the Islamic prophet
Muhammad , encouraged conversion and constructed numerous "masaajid". In the 19th century, Sheikh Abdalah Darwesh initiated the Shadiliya "tariqa" in the Comoros. Born inGrande Comore , Sheikh Darwesh traveled throughout theMiddle East and later converted Siad Muhammad Al-Maarouf (d. 1904), who became the Shadilya’s supreme guide. Sheikh Al-Ami ibn Ali al-Mazruwi (d. 1949) was the first of the region's "ulama " to author Islamic literature inSwahili . Al-Habib Omar (d. 1976) studied in Arab countries before serving as teacher and "qadi " inMadagascar , Zanzibar, and, after 1964, the Comoros.Mosques and Holy Places
Hundreds of mosques are scattered throughout the islands, as well as numerous "
madrassah ". Practically all children attend Quranic School for two or three years, usually starting around the age of five; there they learn the rudiments of Islam and Arabiclinguistics . When rural children attend these schools, they sometimes move away from home and assist their teacher in working his land. In 1998, a new Grand Mosque, financed by theemir of Sharjah, was inaugurated inMoroni . The tombs of Islamic saints are frequently visited on religious occasions.Holidays and Festivals
Comorians follow religious observances conscientiously and strictly adhere to religious orthodoxy. During colonization, the French did not attempt to supplant Islamic practices and were careful to respect the precedents of "
sharia " as interpreted by theShafi'i school of thought. All Muslim holidays are observed, including "Id al-Adha ,Muharram ,Ashura ,Mawlid , Laylat al-Mi'raj" andRamadan . Mawlid is marked by celebrations culminating in a feast prepared for the ulama. Many women wear the "chirumani", a printed cloth worn around the body. Comorians often consult mwalimus orfundi andmarabouts for healing and protection from "jinn". "Mwalimus" activate "jinn " to determine propitious days for feasts, a successful marriage, conduct healing ceremonies and prepare amulets containing Quranic "ayat ".Political Islam
The chaotic economic and political climate since independence in
1975 has been detrimental to the development ofhuman rights and social justice. Rival factions have sought to mobilize religious support both to uphold and contest political power and social inequality. Political opponents have relied on their own interpretation of the Quran and "hadith ", advocating "Shariah" to rectify political corruption. Competing Islamic views have entered politics, both to justify and challenge the government. European trained government officials have adopted Western political ideologies and secularism while continuing to support leaders of Islamic brotherhoods. Islamism and Wahhabism has become increasingly as students returned from Islamic studies abroad. In response to perceived injustice and chaos within the Comorian government, Islamists hope to create an Islamic republic. Suspectedal-Qaeda memberFazul Abdullah Mohammed was born in Moroni, Comoros Islands and has Kenyan as well as Comorian citizenship.Islamic Organizations
*Masdjid de vendredi d'Itsinkoudi,
Itsikoudi
*Mnoungou Islamic Center,Mnoungou
*Agence Musulman d'Afrique,Vouvouni
*Nioumadzaha Madrassa (Arabic : مدرسة الاحسان, )ee also
*
Islam by country References
*Ahmed, Abdallah Chanfi. "Islam et politique aux Comores: Évolution de l'autorité spirituelle depuis le Protectorat français (1886) jusqu'à nos jours". Harmattan, 1999.
*Newitt, Malyn. "The Comoro Islands: Struggle against Dependency in the Indian Ocean."Westview 1984.
*Ottenheimer, Martin. "Marriage in Domoni: Husbands and Wives in an Indian Ocean Community". Waveland Press, 1984.
*Ottenheimer, Martin. "Historical Dictionary of the Comoro Islands". Scarecrow Press, 1994.
*loc
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