Religion in Madagascar

Religion in Madagascar (2010) according to the Pew Research Center^[1]

Muslim (3%)

Unaffiliated/Other (7%)

Religion in Madagascar is diverse, with Christianity being the largest religion. Significant populations of the adherents of traditional faiths and Islam are also present.^[2]

Madagascar is a secular state, and the nation's constitution provides for freedom of religious thought and expression and prohibits religious discrimination.^[3]

Christianity

Protestantism and Catholicism are the main Christian denominations in the country. The Malagasy Council of Churches comprises the four oldest and most prominent Christian denominations (Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, Lutheran, and Anglican) and has been an influential force in Malagasy politics.^[4] In the disputed 2001 presidential elections, the council rallied behind Protestant candidate Ravalomanana, whose electoral slogan was "Don't be afraid, only believe."^[5]

The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, a Reformed Protestant church, had 2.5 million adherents in 2004;^[6] former President Marc Ravalomanana served as its vice-president.^[7]

There were 21 Catholic dioceses in Madagascar in 2013, including five archdioceses.^[8]

Other Religions

Islam

Islam has been well established in what is now known as Madagascar for centuries and today Muslims represent 2 to 5 percent of the total population.^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12] The vast majority of Muslims in Madagascar practice Sunni Islam of the Shafi school of jurisprudence,^[13] with sizeable Shia and Ahmadiyya communities.

Hinduism

Hinduism in Madagascar began with the arrival of primarily Gujarati immigrants from the Saurashtra region of India as far back as 1870.^[14]

References

^ "Religions in Madagascar | PEW-GRF".
^ https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/madagascar/#:~:text=Local%20religious%20groups%20state%20that,and%20Anglicans%20(4.5%20percent).
^ https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/240282-MADAGASCAR-2020-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwigw57vxOH6AhUZ_7sIHVOnDBIQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0fQ3HBYnccrErhSCK-V53N
^ "International Religious Freedom Report: Madagascar". U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 2006. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
^ Raison-Jourde, Francoise; Raison, Jean-Pierre (2002). "Ravalomanana et la troisieme independence?". Politique Africaine (in French). 86 (Madagascar, les urnes et la rue). Paris: Karthala Editions: 5–17. doi:10.3917/polaf.086.0005. ISBN 978-2-8111-0064-3. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
^ Marcus, Richard R. (August 2004), "Political Change in Madagascar: populist democracy or neopatrimonialism by another name?" (PDF), Institute for Security Studies Paper, 89: 1–19, archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2012, retrieved 7 July 2012
^ Galibert (2009), pp. 451–452
^ "Catholic Church in Madagascar". Catholic-hierarchy.org. 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
^ "National Profiles".
^ "Madagascar". Global Religious Futures. Pew Research Center. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
^ "The World Factbook - Madagascar". Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
^ "Religious Beliefs In Madagascar". WorldAtlas. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
^ "Madagascar". United States Department of State. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
^ NRI Archived 2012-02-06 at the Wayback Machine

[1] "Religions in Madagascar | PEW-GRF".

[2] ttps://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/madagascar/#:~:text=Local%20religious%20groups%20state%20that,and%20Anglicans%20(4.5%20percent).

[3] ttps://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/240282-MADAGASCAR-2020-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwigw57vxOH6AhUZ_7sIHVOnDBIQFnoECBMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0fQ3HBYnccrErhSCK-V53N

[USSD-4] "International Religious Freedom Report: Madagascar". U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 2006. Retrieved 22 January 2012.

[RJ3I-5] Raison-Jourde, Francoise; Raison, Jean-Pierre (2002). "Ravalomanana et la troisieme independence?". Politique Africaine (in French). 86 (Madagascar, les urnes et la rue). Paris: Karthala Editions: 5–17. doi:10.3917/polaf.086.0005. ISBN 978-2-8111-0064-3. Retrieved 8 July 2012.

[ISS-6] Marcus, Richard R. (August 2004), "Political Change in Madagascar: populist democracy or neopatrimonialism by another name?" (PDF), Institute for Security Studies Paper, 89: 1–19, archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2012, retrieved 7 July 2012

[GB451-7] Galibert (2009), pp. 451–452

[8] "Catholic Church in Madagascar". Catholic-hierarchy.org. 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.

[9] "National Profiles".

[grf-10] "Madagascar". Global Religious Futures. Pew Research Center. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.

[:2-11] "The World Factbook - Madagascar". Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.

[:0-12] "Religious Beliefs In Madagascar". WorldAtlas. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.

[:3-13] "Madagascar". United States Department of State. Retrieved 19 October 2022.

[id-14] NRI Archived 2012-02-06 at the Wayback Machine

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