The Process and Current Situation of Islam Localization in Senegal

Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula and spread to the Maghreb region inhabited by Berbers in the late 7th century and early 8th century, and then spread further to West Africa south of the Sahara from north to south. Around 850 AD, the first group of black Africans converted to Islam. They belonged to the Dya’ogo dynasty of the Tekur Kingdom, which is located in the Senegal River Valley in present-day Senegal. Currently, Senegal is one of the countries with the highest proportion of Muslim population in West Africa, with 94% of its people believing in Islam. Not only that, Senegal has also developed a unique Islamic system dominated by the Brotherhood. This article attempts to sort out the process of Islam localization in Senegal and explain the impact of the Brotherhood on contemporary Senegalese politics and economy.