Islam in Namibia

Islam is the third largest religion in Namibia after Christianity and indigenous beliefs.

Number of Muslims

The national government puts the number of Muslims in Namibia at about 70,000 or about 3% of the national population. [ [http://www.nationmaster.com/country/wa-namibia/rel-religion NationMaster - Namibian Religion statistics ] ] [http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/01/02.shtml IslamOnline.net- News ] ] Adherents.com estimates that Muslims are 5% of the population of Namibia, though with a disclaimer that the statistical methodology used is unreliable. [ [http://www.adherents.com/adhloc/Wh_220.html] ]

Growth of Namibia's Muslim Community

Most of Namibia's Muslim community are members of the Namaqua ethnic group. [ [http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/01/02.shtml IslamOnline.net- News ] ] It is believed that this is mostly as a result of the efforts of a prominent politician among the Nama, Jacobs Salmaan Dhameer, the country’s incumbent Electoral Commissioner, who converted to Islam in 1980. [ [http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/01/02.shtml IslamOnline.net- News ] ] The first mosque in the country was built in Katutura. Today, there are seven mosques in the country. Twenty-four Namibians are currently studying in Saudi Arabia while have been sent for long term Islamic training in institutions in South Africa. [ [http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/01/02.shtml IslamOnline.net- News ] ]

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