-
1490 BCE
King Mahummad overthrows King Sunni Ali and the Songhai Empire becomes the Greatest Empire of Africa
King Muhammad becomes king of Songhai by overthrowing King Sunni Ali. King Muhammad declares Islam to be their state religion. Non-Muslims are encouraged to convert. The number of Muslims increase, making it one of the most powerful empires of Africa. -
1324 BCE
Mansa Musa makes pilgrmage to Mecca
Mansa Musa, a Muslim ruler, makes the pilgrimage to Mecca. On his return he brings back books and Muslim scholars. This prompted the building of mosques and universities. -
1000 BCE
Timbuktu is Founded
Trade and Islam scholars settle in Timbuktu. The scholars spoke and wrote in Arabic and helped teach the new language to the West African tribes. The Qur'an became a very important part of Muslim life in West Africa. -
900 BCE
West Africa Converts to Islam
As Arab merchants arrive, they teach the people about Islam. Many officials and merchants convert to Islam and in return mosques are built. Many people converted to Islam because they were impressed with its teachings and encouraged peaceful trades between nations. -
Period: 705 BCE to 750 BCE
North Africa is Conquered The Ghana Empire begins.
North Africa is conquered by Arab invaders. Islam spreads throughout Ghana and influenced the culture of ancient Ghana. Muslim merchants from the Sahara also brought their faith and teachings to Ghana. -
647 BCE
Muslims expand into Tunisia
Islam expands into Tunisia under the reign of Muslim Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan. Under his reign, Islam began to spread through North Africa and expanded into Nigeria. -
641 BCE
Muslim Troops take over Egypt
Muslim troops took over what is currently now Egypt, and conquered Libya shortly after. -
628 BCE
Muslims return to Medina
Most of the Muslims who migrated out of Medina returned. Others settled in the neighboring part of Zeila. -
615 BCE
Muslims Migrate to Abyssinia
The Muslims leave Medina and migrate to Abyssinia to escape persecution from the Makkans. 23 Muslims migrated and were protected by its king, Negus who later accepted Islam. This event is known as the hijrah or migration. -
1000
More Empires Convert to Islam
The expansion of Islam in Africa led to the formation of new communities in Africa and established existing African empires to be based on Islamic models. In the middle of the 11th century, the Kanem Empire to Islam. At the same time but more toward West Africa, the reigning ruler of the Bornu Empire also converted to Islam. -
East Africa Religious Revival
By the beginning of the 19th century, a religious revival began in East Africa. Wealthy Muslim landowners and traders united to build a larger Muslim presence. They built mosques, schools, and libraries filled with manuscripts. Over the course of a few decades, East Africa became the home of Ismaili and Sufi communities, and attracted prominent Ahmadiyya scholars from India. -
Present Day Islam in Africa
A survey taken in 2002, estimated that Muslims make up 48% of the African population. Islam is present in North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Sahel, the Swahili Coat and most of West Africa.
