Even without official recognition, Islam is gaining new followers every day in Angola, where many Muslim emigrants emphasize their fraternal bonds with Angolans by conducting commercial and religious activities “without barriers or discrimination.”
Prayer, trading and establishing connections with “Angolan brothers” are the daily routine of many expatriates who practice Islam in Angola, which they consider their second home.
Although the religion is not officially recognized by Angolan authorities, foreign Muslims living in the Portuguese-speaking country, mostly Africans, say they lead normal lives and highlight the growth and constant recruitment of new believers.
They, mostly engaged in commerce, consider practicing Islam a way of life and welcome the growing number of believers, especially Angolans, with whom they say they have family relationships without feeling discriminated against.
“(We) live normally, daily life is normal, we live together with our Angolan brothers, this is normal life, there is nothing special about it. We pray and feel almost like we are in our country,” said Slama Kader, 15. back in Angola.
The 70-year-old Mauritanian, who sells food in Luanda, said the non-recognition of Islam in Angola was a “difficulty” but that it did not stop them from leading a “normal life.”
The merchant insisted that relations with Angolans are “normal, there are no problems” and urged them to study Islam “to better understand the message”, ensuring that Muslims respect the rules of religion, home, street and authorities. .
In Angola 13 years ago, Egyptian trader Ibrahim Bih, also a practicing Muslim, said that Angolans today have a better understanding of the Islamic religion, in contrast to what happened in the past when he witnessed some racist demonstrations.
Relations with the Angolans “are no longer as racist as they used to be, Muslims come to Angola to work, but under our rule we can also help the (Angolan) people become Muslims, live better and become more intelligent,” he emphasized.
The lack of official recognition of Islam in Angola is not a problem for Ibrahim, especially since the country does not prevent them from praying and worshiping in “many mosques.”
“We don’t have any difficulties. Thank God, religion has grown in Angola, most of the young people who join the religion are Muslims, we conduct classes so that they do not steal, do not commit crimes, and we help people learn,” he stressed.
The Egyptian national also said that most Africans are Muslims and that the religion was not effectively spread in Angola because of the Portuguese colonial government.
“The problem is that religion in Angola was greatly delayed because of the colonist, in the past the colonist did not allow Muslims to enter here. The only country where the (Islamic) religion came very late was only Angola due to the Portuguese colonist,” concluded the Egyptian merchant.
At the end of the service at the Ebad al-Rahman Mosque in Zango 0, in the urban district of Zango, municipality of Viana, in Luanda, Egyptian Mohamed Abdetawad said that he has a normal daily routine, like any Angolan citizen, divided between work, family and leisure .
“We also came here for work, but we usually have other activities, such as visiting family, going out with friends, walking around the country,” he said.
Mohamed, an electrical trader who has worked in Angola for 15 years, said he has “never been discriminated against” in the country that has adopted him, highlighting the “very good” relationships he has developed in Angola, where he has made many of his friends . families.
“We have no problems, we have many friends who are married, live with Angolans and have no problems with this,” he said, pointing to the need for Angola to recognize Islam.
He stressed that Islam has “grown significantly” over the past 15 years in Angola, which he attributed to the fact that many citizens have become more knowledgeable about Muslim beliefs.
“Many countries in the world have (recognize) Islam, and Angola should also recognize this religion, so we also provide education to many people here (…). We also provide support to neighbors, friends, any support, because this is God’s business,” he emphasized.
In addition to North African citizens, Angola is also home to hundreds of Muslims from the western region of the continent, commonly known as “mamadus”, who are mainly engaged in trade, in shops, large supermarkets or cantinas (small grocery stores). tailoring studios and currency exchange on a parallel market.
The Martires do Quifangondo area of the urban district of Mayanga in Luanda is currently one of the main concentrations of this community, with a large number of Muslim citizens living there, as well as several mosques.
The country has also seen an increase in the number of women who practice this religion and who walk the streets in burqas, hijab or niqab (women’s clothing), going less and less unnoticed.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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