Shia Islam in Africa

The population of Shias in Africa is composed of several communities:

• Persecuted Shia adherents in northern Nigeria, particularly the African Shia Islamic Movement headed by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky in Zaria, Kaduna State.
• Shia Islam in Senegal is practiced by native Senegalese and also the Lebanese community in Senegal.[1] One of their primary leaders was Lebanese Sheikh Abdul-Mun'am Az-zain, who primarily served the Lebanese community. The Sheikh built Shi'a schools and mosques and also provided scholarships to Senegalese students. 7% of Senegalese people practice Shi'a Islam. Major Shia organizations in Senegal include the Mozdahir International Institute, headed by Senegalese Shi'i religious leader Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara.[2]
• Highly persecuted low-profile Shia Muslims in Egypt.[3]
• According to two studies by the Pew Research Center around 20% of Muslims in Chad and Tanzania are Shia Muslims.[4][5]
• Ismaili communities, most of which were established by immigrants from South Asia.[6] These populations are found in:
  • East Africa, particularly Tanganyika, Kenya, Uganda, Malagasy, and Zanzibar. Such groups include the Khoja, who are primarily Ismaili
  • Central Africa, Burundi, Rwanda, and Zaire
  • South Africa

African Shia Islamic Movement

African Shia Islamic Movement is a Nigeria-based organization. Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky is the leader of the movement.[7]

See also

• Qibla (group), a Shi'a militant organization in South Africa

References

1. Leichtman, Mara A. (2016). Interview on book with ISLAMiCommentary, a Public Scholarship Forum Managed by the Duke Islamic Studies Center. Transcultural Islam Research Network.
2. Leichtman, Mara A. (2017). The NGO-ization of Shi'i Islam in Senegal: Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide. ECAS7: 7th European Conference on African Studies. Basel, 29 June - 1 July 2017.
3. Ahmed Ateyya (April 18, 2013). "Egyptian Shias keep low profile in face of defamation". Cairo. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
4. "The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity" (PDF). Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. August 9, 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
5. "Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa" (PDF). Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
6. "Ismaili Community". Retrieved 30 July 2013.
7. "Imam Hussain's Red Flag Presented to Leader of the African Shia Islamic Movement". AhlulBayt News Agency. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 26 July 2013.