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Tanzania, Islam in
Tanzania's mainland population is 45 percent Christian, 35 percent Muslim, and 20 percent indigenous religions. Islam spread from the coast to the interior through trade; in the twentieth century, Sufi orders thoroughly popularized Islam. About 70 percent of Tanzanian Sunnis are affiliated with Sufi orders; the Qadiri accounts for 75 percent of all brotherhood followers. Shadhili, Askari, Ahmadi-Dandarawi, and Rifai are other active brotherhoods. After independence ( 1961 ) Tanzania and Zanzibar united as a republic; today Zanzibar enjoys limited autonomy. Tensions between the pro-capitalist, pro-Western government and the African Muslim population have risen against a backdrop of economic uncertainty.
