Islam by country |
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Namibia is a predominantly Christian country and is home to a small Muslim community.[1]
Islam is a minority religion in Namibia, with a small but longstanding presence in the country. Islam first took root during the late 1800s in Namibia in the port city of Luderitz where a small community of Indian traders and merchants settled in the late 1800s. These early Muslims built the first mosque in Namibia, which still stands today and serves as a hub of the Muslim community in Luderitz.
Islam spread to other parts of Namibia, particularly the capital city of Windhoek, where there are several mosques and Islamic organizations. There is also a significant number of Muslims in the northern part of the country, particularly in the regions of Oshana and Ohangwena.
The Namibian Muslim community is diverse, with followers from various ethnicities and nationalities, including Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs, and Africans and is largely concentrated in urban areas.
Islam in Namibia is practiced in a relatively liberal manner, with the majority of Muslims following the Hanafi school of thought. There has been an increase in interest in Islam among Namibians of non-Muslim backgrounds, with some converts citing the religion's emphasis on social justice and its prohibition of alcohol as attractive features. [2]