Namibia is a predominantlyChristian country and is home to a smallMuslim 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 ofLuderitz 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 ofWindhoek, 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 ofOshana andOhangwena.
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 theHanafi 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]
The history of Islam in Namibia dates back to the late 19th century, when a small community of Indian traders and merchants settled in the port city ofLuderitz. These early Muslims built the first mosque in Namibia, which still stands today and serves as a hub of the Muslim community in Luderitz.[3]
Islam has a small but growing presence in Namibia, with an estimated 70,000 Muslims in the country,[4] many of whom areNama. The religion has gained a significant following among the Nama tribe, with many citing the clarity of Islamic texts, the beauty of the content and the style of writing, and the unity and brotherhood of Muslims as attractive features of the religion.[5]
Islam along withJudaism,Buddhism, and theBaháʼí Faith, which make up the largest minority religions inNamibia, but combined account for less than 1% of the population of Namibia.
Most of Namibia's Muslim community are members of theNama ethnic group.[6] It is believed that this is mostly as a result of the efforts of a prominent politician among the Nama,Jacobs Salmaan Dhameer, who converted toIslam in 1980[6] The firstmosque in the country, theSoweto Islamic Centre, was established 1986 and is located inKatutura. As of May 2009, there were twelve mosques in the country, six inWindhoek, two inKatima Mulilo, one inWalvis Bay, and three in the north of the country in the formerOvamboland.[4]
TheNamibia Islamic Judicial Council is based inWindhoek in theKhomas Region.[7] NIHA (Namibia Islamic Halaal Association) is Namibia's oldest and most well known Halaal Certifying body, recognised by the Halaal Certification body in South Africa and in many Islamic states. NIHA was established in 2001 and before known as theNamibia Halaal Slaughterers Association. It certifies food outlets in the country.
