Spatial Distribution and Growth of Islamic Places of Worship in Sokoto Metropolis

This study wishes to explore the effect of religious sub-groupings on the proliferation and distribution of places of worship on the religious landscape of Sokoto metropolis. Geographical Information System (GIS) environment using a geographical positioning system for ground-truthing was employed in mapping the religious places of worship and their actual location/position on the landscape of the study area. The places identified were 32 Hallaras centres, 35 Zawiyas, 81 Jumu’at mosques and other relevant preaching grounds. Two (2) participants were chosen from each of the sect’s orders particularly leaders and imams for interview. The research revealed that the subgroupings are the yardstick for the proliferation of religious places of worship in the study area. Hallaras, Hallaqas and zawiyas and Jumu’at mosques are found to be the major places of worship in the metropolis. It was also concluded that job creation, seeking popularity, desire for leadership and misinterpretation of religious teachings are the other contributing factors to the proliferation of places of worship. Nearest neighbour analysis (NNA) of Sufi order sect, JIBWIS and Jumu’at places of worship have less than 1% given the z-scores of -4.506 strongly indicating the random pattern of distribution in Sokoto metropolis. The work recommends among others the need for spatial planning policies of religious places of worship in the metropolis for unity and better sustainability of the religious landscape in Sokoto metropolis.