The African Experience

Christianity and Islam are the most widely practiced religions in Africa. The religious landscape of Africa has changed dramatically with the inception of Christianity and Islam into the continent. Both religions were relatively in small minorities as at nineteenth century. The vast majority of the people practiced traditional African religions. However, Africa today is overwhelmingly populated by followers of both religions. Although Christianity had first existed in North Africa before Islam, Islam replaced Christianity in North Africa and gained influence in transforming large parts of Africa for several centuries. It formed resistance to European expansion and had provided a framework for sociopolitical change and unified action which covered large areas in late eighteenth century. Most parts of Africa, especially North Africa has been Muslim for over a thousand years.