This january 2000 new york times article offers an overview of islam in nigeria. All formats available for pc, mac, ebook readers and other mobile devices. This paper discusses the nigerian state islam, christianity and politics and the experience of the nigerian church since 1841 to the present. The origins of islam in the country is linked with the development of islam in the wider west africa. To the 15th century in nigeria was strengthened islam, it was brought here through the desert tradersmuslims. This article brings you the history of religion in nigeria. Bishop ajayi crowther was a slave taken from nigeria. Transsahara route which connected kanokatsina with tuwat in today algeria chad and chat in today libya across tripolitinia in libya i. And well be looking at some interesting facts about christianity, islam and traditional religions in nigeria nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world, is divided along, not only cultural lines, but also along religion. Islam was introduced to nigeria through two geographical routes. In particular, international attention has been drawn to the application of sharia law to criminal offences and the. It is celebrated as the month during which muhammad received. Amid assumptions of a hegemonic igbo christian identity, conversions to islam began in the late 1930s in the igbo territory of southeast nigeria the only region in the country that was not.
It is on record that islam as a religion became prevalent in nigeria in the 9 th century during the reign of mai idris alooma, who ruled the borno empire till 1603. Trade was the major connecting link that brought islam into nigeria erinle oluwashola idris 2020. Most of the participants in the early movements were interested in sectarian concerns such as guiding the muslim community and correcting its faith. This also coincided with the time islamic education began in the country especially in the northern part of nigeria. The routes that islam spread to these parts of nigeria are.
The year 1841 was the beginning of modem mission work in nigeria led by bishop ajayi crowther. Introduction history of islam in nigeria jihad islamic law sharia islam and politics islamic movements, islamic reform selected web resources there has been considerable recent media coverage of the implementation of islamic sharia law in the northern states of nigeria. Although the years since nigerias return to civilian rule in 1999 have seen an increased interest in its history and politics, nigeria remains one of the most underresearched african countries. Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for muslims, the followers of islam. Apart from establishing these islamic schools, there were also islamic pilgrimage, mosques, islamic courts and so on. First major centralized state in northern nigeria was kanembornu, the occurrence of which belongs to the late 8th century a. Facts about christianity, islam and traditional religions in nigeria. Large selection and many more categories to choose from. A history of the arrival of islam in igboland find, read and cite all the research you need on. Several islamic reform movements have taken place in nigeria since the late 1970s, including the izala movement, maitatsine, and darul islam. Pdf on jan 1, 2011, egodi uchendu and others published dawn for islam in eastern nigeria.