Islam in Ethiopia
Islam is the second largest religion in Ethiopia behind Christianity. In 2024, 31.5% of the population was Muslim. Islam first appeared in Ethiopia during the time of Prophet Muhammad; in 615, when a group of Muslims were counselled by Muhammad to escape persecution in Mecca and migrate to the Kingdom of Aksum, which was based in Ethiopia and which was ruled by Najashi, a pious Christian king. It is agreed by Islamic scholars that Najashi gave shelter to the Muslim refugees around 615–616 at Axum. 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. Simultaneously, historians emphasize that Islam was introduced to Ethiopia through trade networks, not solely this migration. Scholarly exchange, as well as merchant activity, was heavily present in eastern Ethiopia and was cultivated for centuries. Many trade networks likely brought Islam in this direction...
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