Islam in Rwanda

Since its introduction, Muslims have been a minority in the territory, while Christianity, was introduced to Rwandans during the colonial period in the beginning of the 20th century, and is now the largest religion in the country.

[4] Compared to East African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, the history of Islam in Rwanda is relatively modern.

While a few written sources are available regarding its origins, it is claimed that Islam came through Arab traders from Zanzibar who first entered the country in 1901.

Alternatively, it has been argued that Islam arrived during the colonial period when Muslim clerks, administrative assistants, and merchants from the Swahili-speaking coast of Tanganyika were brought to the country.

Catholic missionaries often went to great lengths to counter what they perceived influence of rival religions, such as Islam and Protestantism.

Only a few conversions took place, mostly among the marginalized urban population: women who had married foreigners, illegitimate children and orphans.

Even these conversion were sometimes superficial, motivated by desire for social and economic security that Muslims provided, than for religious conviction in the Islamic faith.

As a result, Muslim employment was largely confined to engaging in petty trade, and taking up jobs as drivers.

[6] In 1960, the former government minister Isidore Sebazungu ordered the burning of the Muslim quarter and the mosque in Rwamagana.

Only once the soldiers attacked with machine gun fire were the Interahamwe able to enter the mosque and kill the refugees.

"[11] Personal accounts relate how some Tutsi converted for safety, as they feared continuing reprisal killings by Hutu extremists, and knew that Muslims would protect them from such acts.

There are also a few isolated instances where Hutu have converted in the hope that they could hide within the Muslim community and thereby escape arrest.

Catholicism (which arrived in the beginning of the 20th century with the White Fathers order of the Roman Catholic Church) remains deeply embedded in the culture.