This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (November 2024) |
Total population | |
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36,290,000 (2020)[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Somali (98.4%), Afar (95.3%), Dire Dawa (70.9%), Harari (69%), Oromia (47.5%), Benishangul-Gumuz (45.6%)[2] | |
Religions | |
Sunni Islam |
Islam by country |
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Islam portal |
Islam is the second largest religion in Ethiopia behind Christianity. In 2024, 31.5% of the population is Muslim.[3]
Islam in Ethiopia dates back to the founding of the religion; in 615, when a group of Muslims were counseled by Muhammad to escape persecution in Mecca and travel to Ethiopia via modern-day Eritrea, which was ruled by Najashi, a pious Christian king. Ethiopia is mentioned in the Qur'an as Abyssinia (Al-Habash).[4] It is agreed by Islamic scholars that Najashi gave shelter to the Muslim refugees around 615–616 at Axum.[5][6] Bilal ibn Ribah, the first Muezzin, the person chosen to call the faithful to prayer, and one of the foremost companions of Muhammad, was born in Mecca to an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) mother.