Sheikh Al Maarouf Day in the Comoros Date in the current year: March 18, 2024

The predominant religion in the Comoros is Sunni Islam. It is the country’s state religion professed by 98% of the population. All major Muslim holidays are public holidays in the Comoros and the study of Islamic texts is mandatory in all public schools. About 2% of the country’s population are Christians, but the government discourages the practice of other faiths and prohibits proselytizing non-Islamic religions.

According to local legend, Islam was brought to the Comoros archipelago in the 7th century. When the French colonized the islands, they didn’t attempt to convert the population to Christianity or supplant Islamic practices. One of the most prominent figures in the development of Islam during the colonial times was Sheikh Al Maarouf. He introduced the Shadhili tariqa, a Sufi order of Sunni Islam, on the island of Grande Comore and was subsequently exiled by Said Ali bin Said Omar of Grande Comore.

Sheikh Al Maarouf Day was established to celebrate the contribution of Al Maarouf to introducing the Shadhili tariqa. Although Shadhili isn’t the only Sufi order active in the Comoros, Sheikh Al Maarouf’s contribution is especially important because of his exile.