Islam in Zanzibar to fight for the secession of Zanzibar from the Union of the United Republic of Tanzania. Islam in Zanzibar Islam is the most prominent religion on the island of Zanzibar. According to the CIA Factbook, more than 99% in the island are Muslim. The vast majority of Muslims in Zanzibar are Sunni of Shafi'i school of jurisprudence with minority Ibadi, Ismaili and Twelver Shia. Islam came to Zanzibar in the 8th century. There is also a presence of Ahmadi Muslims in Zanzibar. According to one source, "Islam in Zanzibar inspired anti-colonialism, political movements and nationalistic struggle for independence." Other Muslim
History of Zanzibar Portuguese Empire was the first European power to gain control of Zanzibar, and kept it for nearly 200 years. In 1698, Zanzibar fell under the control of the Sultanate of Oman, which developed an economy of trade and cash crops, with a ruling Arab elite and a Bantu general population. Plantations were developed to grow spices; hence, the moniker of the Spice Islands (a name also used of Dutch colony the Moluccas, now part of Indonesia). Another major trade good was ivory, the tusks of elephants that were killed on the Tanganyika mainland - a practice that is still in