The African Independent Churches were the largest group of Christian churches (click on). There were more than 4,000 of these churches, with a total membership of more than ten million. Although these churches originally were founded as breakaways from various mission churches (the so-called Ethiopian churches), the African Independent Churches consisted mostly of Zionist or Apostolic churches and also included some Pentecostal branches. The Zionist Christian Church was the largest African Independent Church with 11.1 percent of the population. The African Independent Churches attracted persons in rural and urban areas.
The Muslims of South Africa were not unlike some colonists exported from Britain as prisoners to the early colonies of the USA.
Islam in South Africa probably predates the colonial period, and consisted of isolated contact with Arab and East African traders. Many South African Muslims are described as Coloureds, notably in the Western Cape, including those whose ancestors came as slaves from the Indonesian archipelago (the Cape Malays). Others are described as Indians, notably in Kwazulu-Natal, including those whose ancestors came as traders from South Asia; they have been joined by others from other parts of Africa as well as white or black South African converts. However, the current Muslim tradition in the country dates from the arrival of Sheikh Abdurahman Matebe Shah, a Malay sheikh from Sumatra, in 1668.
Sheikh Abdurahman Matebe Shah was exiled to Constantia, Cape Town in the Cape by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) following his resistance to the Dutch occupation of the East Indies. The sheikh used his exile to consolidate the teaching of Islam among slaves in the Cape, many of whom came from Muslim backgrounds in Malaysia and Bengal.
This is not unlike the awakening of Malcolm X when he began his rehabilitation in prison. I realize that is inflammatory but until today oppressed Blacks in the USA find solice identifying with men such as The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakan (click on). I realize Louis is very inflammatory and that is the point.
So what became of the Muslims in South Africa?
Clue.
Who stood against Apartheid?
How about a group of Muslims affiliated with the Shia side of Islam?
Getting the picture?
This is a tough subject but one worth exploring and why 'interferring' in civil war can result in poor outcomes for all people involved. No one by the way interferred in the USA civil war. Anyone take note of that? Just thought I'd mention it.
