Cape Verde

Islam in Cape Verde is a minority religion, but it has a growing presence, especially due to immigration and trade. Here are the key points:

Overview

  • Cape Verde is a small island nation off the west coast of Africa.
  • It is a majority Christian country, with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism being the dominant religions.
  • Islam represents a small but visible minority.

Muslim Population
Muslims make up less than 1% of the population (rough estimates vary, but likely a few thousand individuals).

Most Muslims in Cape Verde are immigrants, especially from West African countries such as:

  • Senegal
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Mali
  • Nigeria

Role in Society

  • Many Muslims in Cape Verde are involved in small-scale trade, retail, and market businesses.
  • They often operate shops, restaurants, or import/export businesses, particularly in the capital Praia and other urban centers.

Mosques and Worship

  • There are a few mosques and prayer rooms across the islands, especially in cities like Praia.
  • Muslims are free to practice their religion, and the country has a tradition of religious tolerance.

Growth and Challenges

  • The Muslim community is slowly growing due to:
  • Continued immigration

Some conversions

Challenges include:

  • Limited infrastructure (few mosques or Islamic schools)
  • Language barriers (many Muslim immigrants speak French or native African languages, while Portuguese is the official language)

Religious Freedom

  • Cape Verde’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
  • The Muslim minority is generally respected and lives peacefully with the majority Christian population.

Cape Verde (Cabo Verde)
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .cv
Country Code: +238