|
|
Article: Islam in Africa
- Article from:
- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
CopyrightThe Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information)
|
Islam in Africa the development of the Muslim religion on the African continent.
During Muhammad's lifetime a group of Muslims escaped Meccan persecution (615) by fleeing to Ethiopia, where the Negus gave them protection. The spread of
Islam
in Africa began in the 7th and 8th cent. with the
Umayyads
, who brought the religion to the Middle East and to the littoral of North Africa. Along the coast of Africa Islam spread among the
Berbers
, who joined the Muslim community and almost immediately drove north across the Mediterranean into Europe. In Morocco, Muslims founded the city of Fès (808), which soon thereafter gave refuge to Andalusian Muslims fleeing an uprising in ...
Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:
|