Muslims In Angola: A Small But Vibrant Community

Angola is a predominantly Christian country, with Islam being a minority religion. As of the 2014 census, there were 195,000 Muslims in Angola, representing 1% of the total population. However, the relationship between Angola and its Muslim citizens and migrants has been described as unclear, with the government imposing stricter immigration policies and failing to recognise any Muslim groups officially. This has resulted in the closure of mosques and restrictions on the practice of Islam in the country. Despite this, the Muslim community in Angola is growing, and there are efforts to promote interreligious dialogue and build peace between different faith groups.

Muslims in Angola are mostly Sunni

Angola is a predominantly Christian country, with Islam being a minority religion. As of the 2014 census, there were 195,000 Muslims in Angola, representing 1% of the total population. However, other sources put the figure at 800,000. Most Muslims in Angola are Sunni, and they are generally foreign migrants from West Africa, Somalia, and the Middle East, with some being local converts.

Historically, Angola did not have a significant Muslim population. However, during the 21st century, the Muslim community has grown, particularly following the Angolan Civil War, which ended in 2002. During the war, many Angolans fled to countries with a significant Muslim presence and were introduced to Islam. Since then, Islamic organisations have been running mosques, schools, and community centres in Angola.

Despite the growth of the Muslim community, Islam remains officially unrecognized in Angola. The government has imposed strict requirements for religious groups to gain legal status, including having more than 100,000 members and a presence in over two-thirds of the nation's territory. These requirements have made it difficult for Muslim groups to obtain legal recognition, and as of 2020, the Angolan government had not legally recognized any Muslim organizations. This lack of recognition has resulted in restrictions on and the shutting down of mosques in the country.

The situation regarding Islam in Angola has been controversial, with some media sources falsely reporting that Islam had been banned in the country. While the Angolan government has denied these claims, there have been instances of mosques being shut down or prevented from being constructed. The Muslim community in Angola continues to face challenges and obstacles in practising their faith.

Islam is a minority religion in Angola

Historically, Angola did not have a significant Muslim population. However, the Muslim community has grown in the 21st century, largely due to an influx of businessmen and migrants from West Africa and the Middle East. During the Angolan Civil War, many Angolans fled to countries with a significant Muslim presence and were exposed to Islam. While the exact number of local converts is unclear, it is believed to be very small.

Muslims in Angola face several challenges. The country's government does not legally recognize any Muslim organizations, and mosques have faced restrictions and closures. The 2010 Angolan Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but the government requires religious groups to petition for legal status before they can build places of worship. The threshold for recognition is high, requiring more than 100,000 members and a presence in 12 out of 18 provinces. As the Muslim population falls short of this threshold, they have not been granted legal status. This has resulted in difficulties for Muslims seeking to practice their faith and construct mosques.

There have been reports and allegations of discrimination and human rights violations against Angolan Muslims. Some Muslims have been accused of terrorism and membership in extremist groups, with little evidence to support these claims. Additionally, there have been instances of mosques being shut down or prevented from being constructed, and Muslim women who wear the traditional veil have faced intimidation and violence. These issues have fueled perceptions of Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims in Angola.

Despite these challenges, the Muslim community in Angola continues to grow and advocate for their rights. While there have been setbacks and misunderstandings, there are also reports of mosques being reopened and Muslims being allowed to worship freely. The situation in Angola highlights the complexities of religious minority rights and the importance of promoting interreligious dialogue and social cohesion.

Muslims in Angola face restrictions on practising their faith

The 2010 Angolan Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens. However, the government requires religious groups to petition for legal status and be recognised before they can build places of worship. The threshold for recognition is high: a group must have more than 100,000 members and be present in at least 12 out of 18 provinces. As the Muslim population is estimated to be around 90,000, they have not been granted legal status. This means that mosques have faced restrictions and many have been shut down.

In November 2013, the Angolan Minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz da Silva, announced that since the process of legalising Islam had not been approved, mosques would be closed until further notice. The President of the Islamic Community of Angola claimed that several mosques had been destroyed and that anyone practising Islam risked being found guilty of disobeying Angola's penal code. While the government denied a ban on Islam, there is a tendency to link the practice of Islam with threats to national security, and state media has branded it as foreign to Angolan culture.

There have been numerous instances of mosques being shut down or prevented from being constructed. In July 2010, a mosque in Huambo was set on fire by arsonists. In September 2010, authorities closed a mosque in Cazenga without prior notice. In November 2011, authorities tore down a structure being used as a mosque in Cacuaco without notice. In January 2012, the government prevented Muslims from building a mosque in Dundo, Lunda Norte Province, despite the group having a license to do so. According to the Islamic Community of Angola, 60 mosques were shut down in 2013.

In 2020, the government issued a decree stating that only legally recognised religious groups could hold services under COVID-19 restrictions. Leaders from the Islamic community protested, saying this violated their constitutional rights, and the government later liberalised the restrictions to accommodate Friday prayers. However, the government still does not recognise any Muslim groups or issue licenses for them to practise their religion legally.

There are around 90,000 Muslims in Angola

Angola is a predominantly Christian country, with Islam being a minority religion. As of 2014, there were 195,000 Muslims in Angola, representing 1% of the total population. However, the US State Department states that the estimated Muslim population is 80,000-90,000, but notes that some sources put the population size closer to 500,000. The population of Muslims in Angola is estimated to be a bit more than 90,000 people. This figure is based on the US State Department's 2013 report, which counted 194 different religious groups that were denied legal recognition, the large majority of which were Christian organisations. This includes Islam, as the Angolan government does not legally recognize any Muslim organizations.

Most Muslims in Angola are Sunni. They are generally foreign migrants from West Africa, Somalia, and the Middle East, especially Lebanon. There are also a few local converts. The 2010 Angolan Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to 'everyone' (including foreigners) and stipulates that the State shall protect churches and faiths and their places and objects of worship. However, the Angolan government requires religious groups to register for legal status and be recognized by the government before they can build places of worship. In order to be recognized, a group must have more than 100,000 adherents and be present in at least 12 out of 18 provinces.

The relationship between Angola and its Muslim citizens and migrants has been tense. Islam has historically been associated with illegal immigration and crime in Angola, although there is little evidence to support this. Even today, some Angolan Muslims are accused of terrorism and membership of terrorist groups. In addition, there have been reports of violence and intimidation against women who wear the veil. Human rights activists have condemned the crackdown, with Elias Isaac, country director of the Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (Osisa), calling the government "intolerant of any difference."

Despite the tensions, the leader of the largest Muslim community in Luanda has stated that his community does not feel threatened by police actions and that Muslims in Angola are allowed to worship freely. This has been confirmed by other Muslim sources, who say that the Muslim community in the country is growing. There was also a misunderstanding regarding the demolition of mosques, which were dismantled because they did not have building permits.

Most Muslims in Angola are foreign migrants

Angola is a predominantly Christian country, with Islam being a minority religion. As of the 2014 census, there are 195,000 Muslims in Angola, representing 1% of the total population. However, the US State Department states that the estimated Muslim population is 80,000-90,000, but notes that some sources put the population size closer to 500,000. Most Muslims in Angola are Sunni and are foreign migrants from West Africa, Somalia, and the Middle East, especially Lebanon.

Historically, many of these immigrants entered Angola illegally, creating a misperception of associating Islam with illegal immigration and crime, particularly counterfeiting money and money laundering. This perception has been perpetuated by the media and public discourse, which often links Islam to terrorism, slavery, and other wrongs that are seen as offensive to Angolan culture. As a result, Islam in Angola has been an easy target for negative stereotypes and has escaped the control of political power.

The Angolan government's failure to recognize Islam and the destruction of mosques have further fueled the misconception that Islam is banned in the country. In 2013, the Angolan Minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz da Silva, announced that since the legalization of Islam had not been approved, mosques would be closed until further notice. This prompted international outrage and protests by Muslim groups, with some media sources reporting that Angola had become the first country to ban Islam. However, the government denied these claims, stating that there was no war against Islam or any other religion in the country.

While the exact number of Muslim migrants in Angola is difficult to pinpoint, it is clear that the majority of Muslims in the country are foreign migrants, contributing to the perception of Islam as a foreign religion in Angola.

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