Islam in Eritrea is one of the two main religions of the country and holds deep historical and cultural significance.

History of Islam in Eritrea

Early Introduction:

• Islam arrived in Eritrea very early in Islamic history — during the time of the Prophet Muhammad.
• The First Hijra (migration) took some of the Prophet’s companions across the Red Sea to the ancient kingdom of Aksum, which included parts of modern Eritrea, making Eritrea among the first places in the world to receive Islam outside Arabia.
• Over centuries, Arab traders, Yemeni migrants, and Sufi missionaries helped spread Islam along the Eritrean coast and into the highlands.

Ottoman and Egyptian Rule:
Parts of coastal Eritrea, such as Massawa and Assab, were under Ottoman and later Egyptian control, further strengthening Islamic influence.

Current Islamic Presence:
Approximately 50% of Eritrea’s population is Muslim, though exact figures are uncertain due to lack of recent official census data.

Islam is mainly practiced by ethnic groups such as:

• The Tigre (or Tigrayit-speaking Muslims).
• The Saho.
• The Afar.
• Some groups of Beja and Rashaida (Arab descent).

Geographic Distribution:
Muslims are concentrated mostly in:

• Northern and western lowlands.
• The Red Sea coastal regions (such as Massawa and Assab).
• Some parts of the central highlands.

Mosques & Religious Life:
Eritrea has many historic mosques, including:

• The Sheikh Hanafi Mosque in Massawa — one of the oldest in East Africa.
• Numerous small mosques in towns and rural areas.
• Islamic festivals like Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha are widely observed.

Islamic Organizations:

• Religious activity is officially regulated by the government.
• The Mufti of Eritrea is the official Islamic religious authority.
• Religious freedoms are restricted under Eritrea’s authoritarian system; all organized religious activity must be state-approved.

Challenges:

• Religious restrictions: Eritrea has been criticized by international organizations for its limitations on religious freedom, including:
• Tight government control over Islamic schools and religious activities.
• Occasional reports of harassment or imprisonment of Muslims who engage in unauthorized religious practices.
• Lack of independent Islamic institutions: All major Islamic bodies are state-monitored.

Social & Cultural Role:

• Islam is deeply woven into Eritrean culture, traditions, and daily life, especially in Muslim-majority regions.
• Muslims actively participate in trade, agriculture, and government sectors.
• Interfaith coexistence between Muslims and Christians has historically been peaceful, although political tensions (not religious ones) affect national unity.

Summary:
Islam in Eritrea is a historic and major faith, practiced by nearly half of the population. Despite its ancient roots and cultural influence, Islamic life in Eritrea is subject to strict government oversight and restrictions, limiting independent religious expression.

---

Eritrea
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .er
Country Code: +291