Shi'a Islam in Africa

The population of Shi'a in Africa is composed of several, primarily heterodox, communities:

• Syncretic Shia adherents in northern Nigeria. (See: Shia in Nigeria)
• Introduced Shiism in Senegal, brought to that country by the Lebanese Sheikh Abdul-Mun'am Az-zain. The Sheikh built Shi'a schools and mosques and helped send Senegalese to Iran or Lebanon to study the religion. 7% of Senegalese people practice Shi'a Islam, most of whom are Twelvers.
• Ismaili communities, most of which were established by immigrants from South Asia. These populations are found in:
  • East Africa, particularly Zanzibar. Such groups include the Khoja, who are primarily Ismaili.
  • South Africa

See also

• Qibla (group), a Shi'a militant organisation in South Africa