ISLAM EFFECT IN EAST AND WEST AFRICA

Islam landed in Africa in the 7th century and spread in West and East Africa in the 8 th and 9th centuries by
Arab traders and travelers and later by the African clerics. Since their arrival, a lot of effects was felt by
the involved countries. Unity, the system of administration, literacy, and trade are some of the effects
discussed.

Islam brought unity among the people based on shared beliefs. Islam emphasized and preached unity
from family, village, clan to the state level. Islam was even able to reduce and discourage tribal wars due
to their new common faith, unlike in the past, where every tribe had a different traditional way of
worship with the other. The state rulers were able to instill a sense of unity as a basis of their authority,
thus enlarging and developing their kingdoms.

A system of administration is another major influence of Islam in East and West Africa. Most state rulers
who had turned to Muslims assumed the Islamic way of taxation and justice systems. This form of
administration was enforced more when Muslim intellectuals were given jobs like judges, secretaries,
lawyers, and administrators. They participated highly in installing and implementing their way of
administration to their fellow workmates, who were non-Muslims. The holy wars waged by some rulers
also helped extend their state frontiers.

Islam initiated literacy and Muslim education to West and East Africa. They built schools and started
teaching African students who, before then, we're only aware of traditional learning and teachings,
which was mostly about their community. It was then possible to record and preserve the history and
traditions of these states in books by scholars. Literacy also enabled them to access Islamic literature,
their religion, and their philosophy. This enabled them to expand and widen their minds, therefore,
improving the literacy rate or levels state wise.

Islam encouraged trade activities, especially between West Africa and the Mediterranean. The Muslim
traders traded their goods in exchange for valuables like gold. Due to universal religion, the Muslim
traders and Africans were now able to trade peacefully and fairly. This attracted lots of traders, even
from other African countries, after realizing the riches that were being made there. The trans-Saharan
Cavaran trade was broadened, which enriched the affected countries leading to the growth of towns
and cities hence a boost to the economy.

In conclusion, Islam in East and West Africa had a lot of influence and effect on society. The impact of
their arrival is still evident to date in, for example, schools, health care, trade, and the large population
of Islam.