Religion in Sierra Leone: Difference between revisions
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Followers of [[Islam]] constitute the majority of the population, while [[Christianity|Christians]] form a significant minority. |
Followers of [[Islam]] constitute the majority of the population, while [[Christianity|Christians]] form a significant minority. |
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Muslims are estimated to comprise 60% of Sierra Leone's population according to the US Department of State,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90119.htm |title=US Department of State estimate |publisher=State.gov |date=14 September 2007 |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> while 20 to 30% are reported to be followers of Christianity, and 5 to 10% of the population practice indigenous [[animist]] beliefs. The 2007 [[UNHCR]]'s "Report on International Religious Freedom in Sierra Leone"<ref name="islam">{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cf2d06b43.html |title=UNHCR.org |publisher=UNHCR.org |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> estimated 55% Muslim, 40% Christian and 5% other beliefs, with many citizens practising a mixture of Islam and traditional indigenous religious beliefs or Christianity and traditional indigenous beliefs. The [[Pew Research Center]] estimates the Muslim population at 71.3% (4,059,000).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Topics/Demographics/Muslimpopulation.pdf |title=Mapping The Global Muslim Population |format=PDF |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> Muslims predominate in all of the country's three provinces and the [[Western Area]], though formerly they were concentrated in the north with the south being mainly Christian. |
Muslims are estimated to comprise 60% of Sierra Leone's population according to the US Department of State,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90119.htm |title=US Department of State estimate |publisher=State.gov |date=14 September 2007 |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> while 20 to 30% are reported to be followers of Christianity, and 5 to 10% of the population practice indigenous [[animist]] beliefs. The 2007 [[UNHCR]]'s "Report on International Religious Freedom in Sierra Leone"<ref name="islam">{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cf2d06b43.html |title=UNHCR.org |publisher=UNHCR.org |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> estimated 55% Muslim, 40% Christian and 5% other beliefs, with many citizens practising a mixture of Islam and traditional indigenous religious beliefs or Christianity and traditional indigenous beliefs. The [[Pew Research Center]] estimates the Muslim population at 71.3% (4,059,000).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Topics/Demographics/Muslimpopulation.pdf |title=Mapping The Global Muslim Population |format=PDF |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> Muslims predominate in all of the country's three provinces and the [[Western Area]], though formerly they were concentrated in the north with the south being mainly Christian. |
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The vast majority of Sierra Leonean muslims are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]]; while small minorities are [[Shia Islam|Shia]] and [[Ahmadiyya]]. Though small in numbers, the Ahmadiyya has one of the largest [[islamic ]][[institutions]] across country, including many primary and secondary schools. |
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The vast majority of Sierra Leonean christians are [[protestants]], of which the largest are [[methodists]][[http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5794273&ct=6470237¬oc=1][http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/methodist-church-sierra-leone][http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5794273&ct=6470237¬oc=1][http://www.xpointumc.org/missions/report-of-sierra-leone/] and [[evangelicals]][http://www.efsl.evang.org/about-efsl/our-history][http://tectsl.org/]. Other christian protestants [[denominations]] in the country include [[presbytarian]][http://www.epc.org/sierra-leone-presbytery-organization-wo-486/], [[babtist]][http://tmbcdetroit.org/ministries/evangelism/sierra-leone], [[seventh day adventist]][http://www.sdachurchsierraleone.org/] and [[Lutheran]][http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Global-Mission/Where-We-Work/Africa/Sierra-Leone.aspx] |
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[[Catholics]] are the second largest non protestant Christians division in Sierra Leone at about 5% of the country's population[http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=11887]. The [[Jehovah’s Witnesses]][[http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/offices/sierra-leone/], [[anglicans]][http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/diocese.cfm?Idind=732] and [[mormons]][http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/sierra-leone][http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765616902/Historic-milestone-Sierra-Leone-stake-marks-LDS-Churchs-3000th.html?pg=all] form a small minority of the christian population in the country. |
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The [[constitution of Sierra Leone]] provides for [[freedom of religion]] and the government generally protects this right and does not tolerate its abuse.{{citation needed|date=April 2011}} |
The [[constitution of Sierra Leone]] provides for [[freedom of religion]] and the government generally protects this right and does not tolerate its abuse.{{citation needed|date=April 2011}} |
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[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sierra Leone|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] claims more than 10,000 members in 24 [[Ward (LDS Church)|congregations]] in the country.<ref>[http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/sierra-leone/ LDS Newsroom (Sierra Leone)]</ref> |
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==See also == |
==See also == |
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Revision as of 15:07, 16 August 2013
Followers of Islam constitute the majority of the population, while Christians form a significant minority. Muslims are estimated to comprise 60% of Sierra Leone's population according to the US Department of State,[2] while 20 to 30% are reported to be followers of Christianity, and 5 to 10% of the population practice indigenous animist beliefs. The 2007 UNHCR's "Report on International Religious Freedom in Sierra Leone"[1] estimated 55% Muslim, 40% Christian and 5% other beliefs, with many citizens practising a mixture of Islam and traditional indigenous religious beliefs or Christianity and traditional indigenous beliefs. The Pew Research Center estimates the Muslim population at 71.3% (4,059,000).[3] Muslims predominate in all of the country's three provinces and the Western Area, though formerly they were concentrated in the north with the south being mainly Christian.
The vast majority of Sierra Leonean muslims are Sunni; while small minorities are Shia and Ahmadiyya. Though small in numbers, the Ahmadiyya has one of the largest islamic institutions across country, including many primary and secondary schools.
The vast majority of Sierra Leonean christians are protestants, of which the largest are methodists[[2][3][4][5] and evangelicals[6][7]. Other christian protestants denominations in the country include presbytarian[8], babtist[9], seventh day adventist[10] and Lutheran[11]
Catholics are the second largest non protestant Christians division in Sierra Leone at about 5% of the country's population[12]. The Jehovah’s Witnesses[[13], anglicans[14] and mormons[15][16] form a small minority of the christian population in the country.
The constitution of Sierra Leone provides for freedom of religion and the government generally protects this right and does not tolerate its abuse.[citation needed]
See also
- Islam in Sierra Leone
- Roman Catholicism in Sierra Leone
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sierra Leone
References
- ^ a b United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "UNHCR.org". UNHCR.org. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ "US Department of State estimate". State.gov. 14 September 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ "Mapping The Global Muslim Population" (PDF). Retrieved 20 May 2012.
