The initial entry of Islam into Africa made way for it's dramatic influence and importance in Africa since the seventh century. The initial spread of Islam can be found in the

As with many parts of the world, a large part of Africa's history has been shaped and molded by the spread of Islam through the upper half of the continent. It has helped to create political ties, create the social climate, influenced the culture of millions of people and helped to determine the place in the world for many of the countries in Africa. Its all-encompassing influence has surpassed many of the initial missionaries' wildest imagination. Little did they know that one day half of Africa would be Muslim, that Islam would help to influence government types and action, and the culture of such a large area of land and a large amount of people. Islam has become and is one of the most dominant forces in the African continent.

initial spread of empires into the region. Because, as John Ruedy says, there is no real separation of church and state in Islamic regimes, the expansion of Arab and Persian empires after the death of Mohammed brought his teachings with him. The daily practice of Islam calls for certain actions, which these Muslim empires enacted, throughout their lands. Their insistence that aspects of the Islamic faith be woven into the affairs of their governments and thusly the day to day lives of the inhabitants of their empires, these regimes were able to ensure that most in their regime were adhering and converting to Islam. The first major empire to bring Islam into Africa was led by Amr Ibn al-As in 640. (Ruedy, 23). This brilliant general took the task of bringing his Persian Empire from Persia to thew Atlantic Ocean. He began is conquest four years after Mohammed's death, and tried to bring with him Mohammed's teachings and his god, Allah. This initial introduction of Islam into Africa was long standing and helped to create the governments found in North Africa that lasted for centuries upon centuries. What helped bring Islam to other parts of the continent were Arabic traders. Sixty six percent of all Arabs live in Africa (Baulin, 21). They were a very powerful presence in regards to the economy. This is because of their control over various and important trade routes that routed their way throughout much of the northern half of the continent. Among the first converted, they brought their new religion of Islam with them as they set out to trade with other various groups and tribes across Africa. The Arab monopolies over the trade routes of Northern, Eastern, and Western Africa were partly responsible for the initial introduction of Islam into Africa. Southern Africa was not so easily attainable to the teachings of Mohammed. Natural barriers existed in the central parts of Africa that prevented many empires from expanded beyond such barriers. These stunt of expansion as well as a lack of Arab controlled trading routes that were successful avenues from which many were able to learn the ways of Allah. Therefore, as Jacques Baulin describes, missionaries used the seas to help bring the teachings of Islam places that they were previously unable to reach. All in all, the introduction of Islam to various parts of the continent helped to establish the roots of a faith that would be very influential in shaping most of the cultural, political, and religious climate of the continent of Africa. By examining how Islam developed and effected specific regions of the large contin

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Approximate Word count = 2233
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)