History of Islam in Rwanda
Islam arrived in Rwanda in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through **Arab and Swahili Muslim traders** from the East African coast, especially Zanzibar and Tanzania. These traders introduced Islamic teachings while doing business in the region.
(Built in 1913, located in Nyamirambo, Kigali)
Later, Muslim merchants and clerks from East Africa and the Indian subcontinent also settled in Rwanda and married local people, helping the religion grow. The building of the **Al-Fatah Mosque in 1913** marked the beginning of an organized Muslim community in the country.
Islam spread gradually through trade, cultural interaction, and peaceful conversion, becoming a significant part of Rwanda’s religious landscape. Today, it stands as a testament to a long history of faith and community development.