Islam in Eswatini

The nation is home to over a million people, of which about 2% identify as Muslim, most of whom belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. Islam in Eswatini probably dates back to the colonial period when some Muslims settled in the country from other countries under the dominion of the British Empire. In the post-colonial period, Islam became a officially recognized religion.

History

While Muslims settled in Eswatini during the colonial period, an active community emerged around the early 1960s when Malawian Muslims arrived in Eswatini to work in asbestos mines. A few locals converted and Malawi-Swazi communities formed in some small towns. Islam became a recognized religion in 1972 by the approval of Sobhuza II. Muslims since then have partaken in the national Good Friday festivities to pray for the well-being of the monarch and many Islamic institutions have been established in urban areas.