Islam in Nigeria facts for kids
About 85 million people in Nigeria are Muslims. That's about half of all the people living in the country! Most of the other people in Nigeria are Christian. Islam is a very important part of life for many Nigerians.
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Islam in Nigeria: A Quick Look
How Many Muslims Live There?
Nigeria is a country with a large population, and many of its citizens follow the Islamic faith. Around 85 million Nigerians are Muslims, which means about half of the country's people are part of the Muslim community. The other half of the population is mostly Christian. This mix of religions makes Nigeria a very diverse place.
Main Kinds of Islam in Nigeria
Just like there are different types of schools or clubs, there are also different branches within Islam. In Nigeria, most Muslims belong to the Sunni branch. However, there are also groups of Shia Muslims and a smaller group called Ahmadiyya Muslims. Each of these groups has its own unique history and practices.
Sunni Islam: The Main Group
Most Muslims in Nigeria are Sunni. They often follow a specific set of rules and teachings known as the Maliki school. This school is one of the main ways that Islamic law, called Sharia, is understood and practiced in Nigeria. Sharia law guides many aspects of daily life for Muslims, from personal behavior to community rules.
Shia Islam: A Smaller Group
While Sunni Muslims are the majority, there is also a notable group of Shia Muslims in Nigeria. They are a minority, meaning they are a smaller part of the Muslim population. Many Shia Muslims in Nigeria live in a place called Sokoto State. You can learn more about them by looking up Shia in Nigeria. About 12% of Nigerian Muslims are Shia.
Ahmadiyya: A Unique Branch
A smaller number of people in Nigeria follow a branch of Islam called Ahmadiyya. This group is sometimes seen as a reformatory movement, which means it started with the idea of bringing new life or changes to some Islamic teachings. The Ahmadiyya movement began in India in the 1800s. About 3% of Nigerian Muslims are Ahmadi.
Images for kids
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The national mosque during Harmattan
