Islam in Togo is a significant minority religion and plays an important role in the country’s religious and cultural landscape.
1. Muslim Population
Approximately 20–25% of Togo’s population (out of ~8.5 million people) are Muslims. Islam is the second-largest religion in Togo after Christianity (which accounts for about 50%). Many Muslims belong to various ethnic groups, especially:
- Hausa (traders and settlers from northern Nigeria).
- Mina, Kotokoli (Tem), and Fulani (Peul) peoples.
2. History of Islam in Togo
Islam arrived in Togo via:
- Trans-Saharan trade routes and West African Muslim traders, especially the Hausa and Fulani, centuries ago.
- The spread of Islamic brotherhoods (Sufi orders) such as the Tijaniyya and Qadiriyya also played a role.
Islam’s influence was strongest in the northern regions of Togo, near the Sahel, where contact with Muslim-majority areas like Niger and northern Ghana was common.
3. Religious Practices
Most Togolese Muslims are Sunni, following the Maliki school of jurisprudence. Sufism, particularly the Tijaniyya order, is widespread. Muslims in Togo practice:
- Daily prayers (Salah).
- Fasting during Ramadan.
- Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Traditional and local customs are sometimes blended with Islamic practices in rural areas.
4. Mosques and Islamic Institutions
- Mosques are found across the country, with large and prominent ones in Lomé (the capital) and major northern towns such as Sokodé and Kara.
- Islamic schools (madrasahs) offer religious education alongside secular subjects.
- Imams and Sufi sheikhs are important community leaders.
- Islamic radio stations and programs help spread religious teachings.
5. Role in Society
- Muslims are active in trade, politics, and civil society.
- Many Muslim traders dominate markets, especially in the north.
- Muslims hold positions in government, the military, and public services.
- Togo is officially secular, and religious freedom is protected by law.
6. Interfaith Relations
- Generally peaceful and harmonious coexistence between Muslims, Christians, and followers of traditional African religions.
- Interfaith marriages are not uncommon.
- Religious festivals and holidays are often recognized and respected by all communities.
7. Challenges
- In rural areas, poverty and lack of education affect both Muslim and non-Muslim populations.
- Some tension occasionally arises between strict reformist movements (like Wahhabism) and the dominant Sufi practices, but major conflict is rare.
- Access to Islamic higher education is limited, leading some students to seek religious education abroad (e.g., in Niger, Nigeria, or Saudi Arabia).
8. Fun Fact
The city of Sokodé is considered the Islamic capital of Togo, home to a large Muslim population, many mosques, and vibrant Islamic festivals.
Togo
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .tg
Country Code: +228