Shi'a Islam in Kenya
Encyclopedia
Shi'a Islam in Kenya is represented primarily by members of Ismaili
sects, largely the descendants of or influenced by Muslim traders from the Middle East and India who came to the East African coast for the purposes of trade.
Among the communities represented are the India-based Dawoodi Bohra
, a Mustaali
Ismaili denomination. The Dawoodi Bohra arrived in East Africa in the 19th century, primarily to Zanzibar
and Lamu
. They arrived initially as traders, later branching into hardware and glass, and then into real estate and construction.
The Dawoodi Bohra number some 6,500-8,000 in Kenya overall, with some 2,500 in Nairobi
and under 3,000 in Mombassa. There are also some 200 members of a breakaway faction, the Reformist Bohra, in Nairobi.
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
sects, largely the descendants of or influenced by Muslim traders from the Middle East and India who came to the East African coast for the purposes of trade.
Among the communities represented are the India-based Dawoodi Bohra
Dawoodi Bohra
Dawoodi Bohra is a subsect of Ismāʿīlī Shīʿa Islām. While the Dawoodi Bohra is based in India, their belief system originates in Yemen, where it evolved from the Fatimid Caliphate and where they were persecuted due to their differences from mainstream Sunni Islam...
, a Mustaali
Mustaali
The Musta‘lī Ismā'īlī Muslims are so named because they accept Al-Musta'li as the nineteenth Fatimid caliph and legitimate successor to his father, al-Mustansir...
Ismaili denomination. The Dawoodi Bohra arrived in East Africa in the 19th century, primarily to Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
and Lamu
Lamu
-Threats to Lamu:In a 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, Global Heritage Fund identified Lamu as one of 12 worldwide sites most "On the Verge" of irreparable loss and damage, citing insufficient management and development pressure as primary causes.- See also :* Juma and the Magic...
. They arrived initially as traders, later branching into hardware and glass, and then into real estate and construction.
The Dawoodi Bohra number some 6,500-8,000 in Kenya overall, with some 2,500 in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
and under 3,000 in Mombassa. There are also some 200 members of a breakaway faction, the Reformist Bohra, in Nairobi.