Islam in South Africa: From Exile and Slavery to a Diverse Modern Community

Islam in South Africa: From Exile and Slavery to a Diverse Modern Community
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The Muslim community in South Africa, which today makes up about 3% of the nation’s population, traces its roots to the arrival of exiled Muslims at the Cape of Good Hope in 1659. Over centuries, through slavery, migration, and cultural exchange, Islam has grown into a vibrant and diverse force shaping South Africa’s social, economic, and cultural identity.

The history of Islam in South Africa stretches back more than 360 years, beginning with the arrival of exiled Muslims and enslaved people from Southeast Asia and East Africa at the Cape of Good Hope in 1659, according to the AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA). What began as a small group of displaced individuals has evolved into a dynamic community of approximately 1.6 million Muslims out of South Africa’s 60 million citizens.

Na’eem Jeenah, a senior researcher at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, identifies five key waves that shaped this evolution: early exiles and slaves brought by Dutch colonizers; Indian workers and traders during the 19th century; freed Zanzibaris settled along the coast; indigenous African converts in the 20th century; and more recent migrants from Somalia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Each wave contributed distinct cultural and theological influences that have molded the country’s modern Muslim identity.

According to Al Jazeera, historian Abdul-Dayaan Petersen from the University of Cape Town emphasized that South African Muslims maintained strong transnational ties throughout history, especially with the Ottoman Empire and Southeast Asian sultanates. These global connections enriched the local Islamic tradition and fostered a cosmopolitan outlook that remains evident in Cape Town’s mosques, schools, and community organizations.

Muslims form significant proportions of provincial populations — 6.6% in the Western Cape, 3.2% in KwaZulu-Natal, and 2.8% in Gauteng — and are estimated to contribute up to 12% of South Africa’s GDP, ABNA reported. Despite notable economic participation, inequality persists within the community, particularly in underdeveloped urban and rural areas.

Contemporary challenges include navigating internal religious differences between Sufi and Salafi traditions, addressing lingering racial discrimination, and preserving historic Muslim neighborhoods threatened by urban development. Yet, Islamic education, art, and music continue to thrive, reinforcing a shared sense of identity.

The story of Islam in South Africa — from exile and resistance to cultural resilience — remains a testament to coexistence and faith’s enduring role in shaping one of the world’s most diverse societies.