As part of "Al-Mujtama" magazine's explorations in the African continent, aimed at understanding the situations of Muslims there, we open this window to the Muslims of the Central African Republic, a journey paved by Islamic kingdoms and reinforced by dawah and educational organizations. This dialogue features Sheikh Abdulrahman Zebunjo Bella, the Deputy Imam of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque in the capital Bangui and the head of the awareness department at the Direct Aid Association. Sheikh Bella possesses a rich experience in Islamic work in his country since graduating from the Faculty of Education, Islamic Studies Department, at Al-Azhar University.

 The Journey of Islam in the Central African Republic  

The paths for introducing Islamic dawah into the Central African Republic have mainly been through neighboring countries, such as Sudan and Chad, as well as some West African countries like Senegal and Cameroon. Sheikh Bella attributes the arrival of Islam to the Central African Republic to the 18th century, following the incorporation of the Islamic Koti Kingdom, which was part of the Wadai Kingdom in Chad, and considered it part of the national borders of the Central African Republic. By the end of the 18th century, Islam began to spread through traders and preachers across the country.

Sheikh Bella explained in his discussion with "Al-Mujtama" that the Central African Republic was one of the former French colonies, gaining independence in 1960. The country witnessed the arrival of missionary church missions that paved the way for colonization, and these missions still influence and control public life in coordination with the colonizers and their allies. He added, however, that despite the church's dominance, there are signs of Islam's growth; national groups adopted the Islamic faith, and there are Islamic communities from African countries such as Senegal, Nigeria, Chad, and Sudan. He noted that these communities play a significant and influential role in the spread of Islam in the country, mentioning that the percentage of local Muslims is estimated at 20% of the total population according to Western statistics.

Sheikh Bella pointed out that the Central African Republic was known in the past as the land of Koti, which was affected by the conquests of Rabih bin Fadlallah, one of the leaders of Zubair Pasha, in the 19th century. Among its notable figures is Sultan Al-Sanusi, who established an Islamic state in the Central African Republic with its capital at Andili in the middle of the country. He worked to spread Islam among the Runga, Benda, and Kara tribes and built strong relationships with the sultans of the Fur, Wadai, and Burun Islamic kingdoms in Chad and Sudan.

 Ancient Kingdoms 

Sheikh Bella reviewed the influence of neighboring Islamic kingdoms on the Central African Republic, especially the Sultanate of the Runga tribe established by Sultan Al-Sanusi in the 19th century before the French occupation. There were skirmishes between the French and the sultanate's forces, which led the colonizers to formally acknowledge it, and it still exists today, currently led by Sultan Ibrahim Kamon Al-Sanusi. He added that the spread of Islam in these lands began in the 18th century through neighboring Islamic kingdoms like the Fur, Wadai, and Bornu kingdoms. Islam spread in the northern and central regions of the Central African Republic, where Islamic kingdoms were established, playing a significant role in resisting the French colonization that sought to eradicate these kingdoms.

Africa... The First Continent of Islam

It pointed out several kingdoms that the region experienced, including the Kingdom of Kanem in the northeastern area of Lake Chad, which reached its peak of prosperity in the 5th century AH, spreading Islam in the south and northern edges of Central Africa, as well as the Islamic Kingdom of Borno to the west of Lake Chad, and Bagirmi in the 10th century AH in the area of the Chari River in the southeastern part of Lake Chad. The kings of Bagirmi advanced into the Zanj regions of Central Africa, and they continued to rule the region until the French occupied Chad and Central Africa.

Sheikh Bella referred to another axis through which the Islamic call reached Central Africa, represented by a Sudanese axis, passing through Darfur and Kordofan in southwestern Sudan. This had an impact on the eastern part of Central Africa and introduced Islam to the Landa and Zande communities. There are large and famous neighborhoods in the capital, Bangui, named after Sudanese names. He said these were the efforts of the aforementioned Islamic kingdoms to convey the Islamic message to Central Africa.

Key Educational Centers and Institutions

Sheikh Bella addressed the most important faces and religious organizations in the country, at the forefront of which are the official institutions, "the Supreme Council and the Sharia Courts." He noted that the khawali (traditional Islamic schools), mosques, and private Arabic Islamic schools played a significant role in educating and qualifying the youth, and although they had many observations against them, they performed a role that no one can deny. He mentioned that the most important Islamic associations include: the Islamic Solidarity Association - Union of Muslims in Central Africa, the Islamic Committee for Central Africa, which has recently become the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, alongside the Muslim Youth Associations, the Muslim Women of Central Africa, and the Islamic Scouts. He pointed out that all these associations are recognized by the state and are active among Muslims by organizing caravans, camps, seminars, organizing Hajj and Umrah, and caring for mosques and Arabic Islamic schools.

He added that these associations play a significant role in spreading the Islamic call in Central Africa despite the lack of financial resources and the necessary qualifications, calling on benefactors in the Islamic and Arab world to support them.

Muslim Cadres Association

He considered the Muslim Cadres Association, established over 15 years ago, as one of the most important associations that can play a pioneering role. He stated that the association is a branch of the Grand Islamic Association in the country, which has managed to list all Muslim cadres within state institutions across various professions (medicine, engineering, the judiciary, customs, taxes, etc.).

The Education Development Association in the Central African Republic also plays an active role regarding orphans and Islamic schools, successfully implementing an experimental curriculum for some Islamic schools, overseeing and monitoring several schools inside and outside the capital.

 The Islamic Council: Origins and Achievements

Sheikh Bella touched upon the formation and establishment of the High Council for Islamic Affairs in the Central African Republic, as well as the level of its relations with Islamic councils and religious institutions worldwide. He explained that it was established in the early 1990s and known as the "Islamic Committee of the Central African Republic," headed by Sheikh Dawood Muslim Bokani. It later transformed in 1991, during a national conference of Muslim leaders, into the Central African Muslims Committee (CICA), led first by Ridwan Jaras, then by Colonel Marbwa, followed by Sheikh Omar Koupen, during whose tenure it became the High Council for Islamic Affairs.

 For These Reasons... The Future of the Central African Republic is Very Bright

 Challenges and Opportunities

The council is considered one of the largest Islamic associations in the Central African Republic and is officially recognized by the government as the representative voice of Muslims across different sects and religious and political orientations. However, the Sheikh pointed to some shortcomings accompanying the council in its local and international relations, stating: "There is no good relationship between the High Council for Islamic Affairs in the Central African Republic and some Islamic associations in the country." He attributed this to administrative inefficiency, the marginalization of the roles of imams and preachers within the council, and a lack of international relations.

He highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing Islamic work in the Central African Republic, emphasizing the importance of reform and renewal in the da'wah (invitation to Islam) work. He stated that Muslims are required to reform and renew all their affairs, whether religious, social, cultural, or educational. He noted that there must be a reconsideration of the centralization of Islamic work, as many Islamic activities are confined to the capital only. This centralization has led to weak developmental opportunities in da'wah and education in the provinces, creating gaps and imbalances, necessitating an expansion of the scope of organization and activity.

He considered the absence of an official headquarters for the High Council and the selection of representatives from all sects as issues needing attention and support. He called for further efforts to request the government to uphold the rights of Muslims and defend Islam and Muslims, emphasizing the need to unite the ranks of Muslims around the Qur'an and the Sunnah, to steer away from the causes of division and fragmentation, and to spread awareness among people and educate them on the rulings of the religion.