๐ Indian Ocean Societies: Islam in Exotic Lands
Definition and Meaning
Indian Ocean Societies, Islam in
Indian Ocean Societies with prominent Muslim populations include Comoros, Maldives, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles. Each society has unique historical and cultural narratives tied to their Islamic faith.
Etymology and Background
The term Islam derives from the Arabic root “ุณ-ู-ู ,” meaning submission or peace, reflective of a devout submission to the will of Allah. The societies in the Indian Ocean archipelago resonate with diverse Islamic traditions brought by ancient trade routes and seafaring merchants.
Historical Facts and Dates
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Comoros: Islam was introduced through Arab traders between the 7th and 10th centuries. Presently, Comoros is a federal Islamic republic predominantly adhering to Sunni Islam.
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Maldives: Islam arrived in the Maldives in the 12th century, where it became the state religion predominantly through influence by Persian and Arab merchants.
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Sri Lanka: Muslim descendants in Sri Lanka trace back their ancestry to North African traders settling from the 8th century. The contemporary Muslim population stands at about 1.3 million.
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Madagascar: By the 14th century, Muslim traders from East Africa had established trading colonies. Today, the nation includes communities of Malagasy Muslims primarily on its western coastal areas.
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Mauritius: The islandโs Muslim communities primarily consist of descendants of Indian laborers brought during British colonial rule.
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Reunion: Islam represents around 2% of the population, with descendants of indentured Indian laborers.
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Seychelles: Islam has minimal influence despite a minor Muslim presence.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Each societyโs practice of Islam is tinged by local culture, whether it be the Sufi practices in Comoros, the Maldivian adherence to Shafi’i school of thought, or the diverse Sunni and Shia traditions in Sri Lanka.
Synonyms
- Islamic Societies in the Indian Ocean
- Muslim Communities in Indian Ocean Archipelago
Antonyms
- Non-Muslim Societies in the Indian Ocean
- Secular Coastal Cultures
Related Terms
- Sunni: One of the major denominations of Islam, predominant in Maldives and Comoros.
- Shafi’i School: One of the schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence.
- Seychelles: Example of a society in the Indian Ocean with minimal Islamic influence.
Exciting Facts
- The Maldives was converted to Islam overnight in 1153 CE with the conversion of Dhovemi, the Maldivian King, influenced by Abu’l Barakat Al-Barbari, a North African Muslim.
- Comoros is referred to as “the perfumed islands” owing to its extensive Ylang Ylang plantations used in the perfume industry, alongside its distinguished Islamic heritage.
Quotations
“But to comprehend Islam in the Indian Ocean is to understand a millennial process of exchange, encounter, and adaptation.” - Dr. Amina Zayad
Suggested Literature and Further Study
- “Islam in the Indian Ocean World: A Concise History” by Rene Dumont
- “The Sea of Islam: Dialectics of Shipping, Trade, and the Quran” by Fatima Noor
- “Islamic Contact and Impact in Tropical Africa and the Indian Ocean” edited by John Middleton
Farewell:
May you sail across the Indian Ocean and discover the vibrant cultural tides and Islamic currents that shape its islands.
Rahima Khalid
Paris, 2023
