Sheik Shaibu Asali, head of the Arabic department at an
Islamic school in Harare, said the growth of Islam in Zimbabwe was a result of
inter-faith dialogue and the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe which, caters for
social plurality.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Society last week, Sheik
Asali said of Zimbabwe's roughly 15 million citizens, about three percent were
Muslims.
"Although the proportion does not seem very impressive,
it is a significant fit in a country that stringently adheres to Christianity
and African Traditional Religion beliefs," said Sheik Asali.
"In the past, our religion was practiced in isolation
but it has begun to take a 'pro-evangelical' stance in recent years. With more
educated youths in the ranks, Islam is spreading more and more rapidly. The
other reason why Islam is growing is the increase in availability of Muslim
literature to locals.
"Furthermoreو the availability of educational
scholarships to foreign Islam adhering countries has resulted in more
converts." He said there were 13 embassies of Islamic republics in
Zimbabwe offering scholarships to young people to study in countries where the
religion is dominant.
"Zimbabwe's 2013 Constitution has made it easier for us
to spread our beliefs. It has also allowed us to move around more freely,
especially in rural areas where we were labelled as aliens.
"The new constitution indeed has played a big role in
helping the spread of Islam in Zimbabwe, this is in light of its well outlined
stance on equality of people and freedom of worship …
"Zimbabweans who are visiting Islamic states such as the UAE are being exposed to Islamic culture and when they return some of
them decide to be Muslims.
"We have also noted that the Internet is assisting many
people who are looking for information about our religion. It is giving people
an opportunity to research and understand Islam," Sheik Asali said.
He said there were more than 20 mosques in Harare, about
eight in Bulawayo, and several others across Zimbabwe. Islamic organizations
are also entering local education, with a recent example being the opening of
the New Hope Center.
Source: Bulawayo24