Islam in Namibia

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Quba Mosque in Windhoek

Namibia is home to a small but growing Muslim community.

Number of Muslims

While in 2009 insiders estimated the number of Muslims to be between 3,000 and 5,000 people,^[1] in 2011 it was estimated to be 9,000 Muslims,^[2] many of whom are Nama.^[3]

Islam along with Judaism, Buddhism, and the Baha'i Faith, which make up the largest minority religions in Namibia, but combined account for less than 1% of the population of Namibia.

Growth of Namibia's Muslim community

Most of Namibia's Muslim community are members of the Namaqua ethnic group.^[4] It is believed that this is mostly as a result of the efforts of a prominent politician among the Nama, Jacobs Salmaan Dhameer, who converted to Islam in 1980.^[4] The first mosque in the country, the Soweto Islamic Centre, was established 1986 and is located in Katutura. As of May 2009, there were twelve mosques in the country, six in Windhoek, two in Katima Mulilo, one in Walvis Bay, and three in the north of the country in the former Ovamboland.^[1]

The Namibia Islamic Judicial Council is based on Ondobe in the Ohangwena Region.^[5] NIHA (Namibia Islamic Halaal Association) is Namibia's oldest and most well known Halaal Certifying body, recognised by the Halaal Certification body in South Africa and in many Islamic states. NIHA was established in 2001 and before known as the Namibia Halaal Slaughterers Association. It certifies food outlets in the country.

Notes