Comoros - Research Article from Encyclopedia of Religious Practices

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 7 pages of information about Comoros.

Comoros - Research Article from Encyclopedia of Religious Practices

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 7 pages of information about Comoros.
This section contains 2,015 words
(approx. 7 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Comoros Encyclopedia Article

POPULATION 614,382
SUNNI MUSLIM 98 percent
CHRISTIAN 2 percent

Comoros

Country Overview

Introduction

The Union of Comoros is a group of three islands—Njazidja (also called Grande Comore), Nzwani (Anjouan), and Mwali (Mohéli)—in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the East African coast. Formerly a French colony, it gained independence in 1975. A fourth island in the colony, Mahore (Mayotte), voted to remain a French territory; it is claimed by the Comoros but administered by France.

The location of the Comoros, including its relative proximity to the Arabian Peninsula, has led to a blending of Malagasy, African, and Arab cultures. Despite French colonization, Comorians are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim. In the twentieth century Muslim brotherhoods that tolerate certain African healing and magico-religious practices have predominated. Since independence in 1975, European trained political leaders have embraced Western secularism, while Comorians who have studied in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries have adopted Wahhabi asceticism...

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This section contains 2,015 words
(approx. 7 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Comoros Encyclopedia Article
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Comoros from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.