Sierra Leone

West-African republic independent from Britain in 1961; Islam, carried by Mande and Fula traders and clerics, is followed by the majority (predominantly Sunni-Mālikī), and the country is noted for coexistence between its Muslim majority and Christian minority.

☾ The Coming of Islam

Islam carried by Mande and Fula traders

Islam spread into the territory of Sierra Leone through Mande (Mandinka) and Fula traders and clerics moving south from the Sahel, taking root among several peoples well before the colonial period.

☾ Religious Composition

A Muslim majority noted for religious coexistence

Sierra Leoneans are a Sunni-Muslim majority (predominantly Mālikī) alongside a substantial Christian minority, and the country is widely noted for peaceful coexistence and intermarriage between the two communities.

Demographic shares are approximate.

At a glance