Islam is one of the religions practiced in Africa. Nigeria has one of the largest Muslim populations in West Africa, with more than 50% of Nigeria's population being Muslim. Shia's are in minority in Africa and they are around 5-10% of the total muslim population. The sub-Sahara region has fewer Muslims than South Asia or Southeast-East or middle-east. There are large number of Shia live in Cango, Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Senegal and Ghana. When thinking of the penetration of Shia Islam into Africa, Nigeria and Senegal are two countries that immediately come to mind. Both have impressive and growing Shia minorities amidst Sunni majorities. However, it is often overlooked that the Tanzania and Cango also have large shia population. Congo’s capital Kinshasa, has a population of 8 million people, a quarter of whom are Shia. These approximately 2.5 million people are a significant minority, considering that the D.R. Congo itself, has a population of 80 million; with Christianity being the dominant religion.
Africa's most populous country, Nigeria is religiously diverse society, with Islam and Christianity being the most widely professed religions. In Nigeria, majority of the muslim population is Sunni (70 million), there is a significant Shia minority (5-10 million), particularly in the northern states of Kano and Sokoto. There is also a large shia khoja community in east Africa. It is a well known fact that for hundreds of years Indians sailed down the East African coast in their sail ships during the North Eastern Monsoons. There were young Shia Khojas amongst these early sailors and some of them stayed behind in East Africa and exploited opportunities in commerce and trade.Against all odds, the Khojas settled all over Eastern Africa and with help from each other they prospered. And wherever they settled they soon formed themselves into a Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Community.
Africa's most populous country, Nigeria is religiously diverse society, with Islam and Christianity being the most widely professed religions. In Nigeria, majority of the muslim population is Sunni (70 million), there is a significant Shia minority (5-10 million), particularly in the northern states of Kano and Sokoto. There is also a large shia khoja community in east Africa. It is a well known fact that for hundreds of years Indians sailed down the East African coast in their sail ships during the North Eastern Monsoons. There were young Shia Khojas amongst these early sailors and some of them stayed behind in East Africa and exploited opportunities in commerce and trade.Against all odds, the Khojas settled all over Eastern Africa and with help from each other they prospered. And wherever they settled they soon formed themselves into a Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Community.