Muslim Diasporas and the Politics of Belonging: Ibadi and Ismaili Pasts and Presents in East Africa

ABSTRACT This article examines the Ibadi and Ismaili Muslim communities in East Africa—particularly in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania (including Zanzibar)—and their distinct religious, social, and economic roles. Even as minorities within predominantly Sunni contexts, both groups have shaped the region through migration, commerce, and international networks. Often overlooked in studies of postcolonial Islam, they are frequently (mis)identified by ethnic labels (“waarabu” for Ibadis, “wahindi” for Ismailis), which obscure their complex identities. By offering an overview of their religious traditions, migration histories, and institutional presence, the article highlights how these communities challenge dominant frameworks within both regional histories and the academic study of Islam. In doing so, it contributes to broader discussions in religious studies around pluralism, identity, and the intersections of race, religion, and belonging in postcolonial contexts—key concerns for scholars of religion today.