A survey on Islamic Population and its methods of expansion in Harare

Abstract

An investigation to ascertain the population of Muslims in Harare and their impact for good or otherwise is an informative exercise. This research has added to other literature in this area. The last of such works were in 1983 by Professor Ephraim C. Mandivenge in, “Islam in Zimbabwe.” After examining the Bible, the Qur’an and other authors, the researcher developed a program which involved field visits to Islamic mosques in five strategically selected locations in Harare. The exercise commenced in February 2012. A simple itinerary was drawn which took a day or two at each centre. Ten Muslims were interviewed and some in-depth discussions were carried out with three imams. The whole exercise took fifteen months to complete though due to the interest raised, dialogue is continuing in three mosques. A conclusion was reached that the exact population of stanch Muslims might be impossible to come up with due to the form of governance in Islam. The fact is that, Islam is growing in Harare at a rate of a debatable 30-40% per annum. This growth is precipitated by the economic situation in Zimbabwe. It is common in Africa to accept a religion for personal gains and when the gains are gone, the adherents may also go. The words of Mahatma Gandhi in John Stott’s book, Mission in Africa says it well, “I do not have to be a member of your church because you have treated my disease.”1 Though it is very easy to become Muslim, it is almost impossible to abandon the faith, though the situation may be different in Harare presently.