Islam in Comoros

According to the 2006 estimate by the U.S. Department of State, roughly 98% of the population in the Comoros are Muslim. Islam and its institutions have helped to integrate Comorian society and provide identification with a world beyond the islands' shores. Most adherents are Arab-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 visited Mecca. Historical evidence suggests Arab merchants and exiled Persian Shirazi 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 as Kilwa, Zanzibar and Oman. Several Sufi "tariqa", including the Shadhili, the Qadiriya, and the Rifa'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 in Grande Comore, Sheikh Darwesh traveled throughout the Middle 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 in Swahili. Al-Habib Omar (d. 1976) studied in Arab countries before serving as teacher and "qadi" in Madagascar, 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 Arabic linguistics. 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 the emir of Sharjah, was inaugurated in Moroni. 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 the Shafi'i school of thought. All Muslim holidays are observed, including "Id al-Adha, Muharram, Ashura, Mawlid, Laylat al-Mi'raj" and Ramadan. 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 or fundi and marabouts 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 of human 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. Suspected al-Qaeda member Fazul 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.
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