Islam was first introduced intoWest Africaat the hands of the Muslim leader ‘Uqbah ibn Naafi‘.Ghana(Wagadou orOuagadouKingdom) is considered one of the oldest empires inWest Africa. The Islamic armies attempted to conquerWest Africamany times but failed at the beginning. However, Islam spread among the African tribes: Hausa, Borno, Sontik [Soninke] , and Doghamba. The empire ofGhanawaned and grew weak at that time. The forces of Al-Muraabiteen (Almoravids) managed to conquer and annexGhanaand reachedGabon. They, (Almoravids), are considered the first Moroccan group that established an empire, founded by ‘Abdullah ibn Yaaseen Al-Juzooli. They were known as “The Masked people”; as they wore a distinctive face-mask called Lithaam or Tagelmust.

They managed to conquer many countries to the South, thus Islam spread till it reached theNigerRiver Basin. The most important figures of Al-Muraabiteen were its founder ‘Abdullah ibn Yaaseen ibn Makook Al-Juzooli, his student Yahya ibn ‘Umar, Abu Bakr ibn ‘Umar and Yoosuf ibn Taashafeen.

Islam was the official religion inMali, a region that occupied an important commercial status at that time. The kings of theSonghai(or Songhay) Empire were of Yemeni origins. The city ofGaowas founded at that time and its king converted to Islam. Arab and Muslim merchants fromNorth Africatravelled to Gao, which also became a centre for calling to Islam and it became a destination for scholars and seekers of knowledge. The Songhai Empire began to decline as internal disputes over succession weakened the empire and eventually tore it apart. Internal dynastic conflicts undermined the Empire significantly, tempting the Sultans of Morocco, who for long aspired to seize the Songhai Empire, to dispatch a force to conquer the empire. Sanghi sultans appointed the sultans ofMoroccoand this eventually led to the split of the empire into two parts. Consequently, ignorance and superstitions spread among the people there. At the same time, some Islamic movements started to emerge, some of their leaders: were ‘Uthmaan ibn Foodi, Shaykh  Ahmadu Lubu in Macina (also spelled Masina, a region in the middle course of the Niger River inMalibetween Ségou andTimbuktu). He declared himself as the Commander of the Believers and claimed that he was the last of the Twelve Imams and he founded the Islamic state of Masina.

In Toucouleur, the Islamic Jihaad movement was founded by Hajj ‘Umar in Dinguiraye[M.Mosaad1] , which became the staging ground for his 1850 Jihaad. He established the Toucouleur Empire, (also known as theTijaniyyaJihaadState, the Segu, Tukulor Empire).

He attempted to conquer Bambara Kingdom of Karta and succeeded in conquering it.Franceexpanded its control of the interior, built forts along theSenegal River, and stopped Hajj ‘Umar Tall’s Jihaad. French imperial expansion inAfricamade it impossible for Hajj ‘Umar to build his state adjacent to French colonies. It was beyond his ability to face the French armies, so he retreated to the east keeping only theBambaraKingdomand Macina. Finally, these two areas were occupied byFrance.

Callers to Allaah from among the Almoravids as well as merchants travelled from Nigeriato Equatorial Guineawhich led to the spread of Islam there. They also spread Islam in the Fang tribe in Guineathrough the Fang tribe in Cameroon. However, this area was occupied by Spainwho strove to hinder the spread of Islam there. Most of the Muslims in Equatorial Guinealive in the Río Muni province, while Catholic Christians live in the more sophisticated BiokoIsland, formerly Fernando Pó[M.Mosaad2] .  The official language ofEquatorial Guinea is Spanish, but the inhabitants also speak Bantu language. Christian missionary expeditions are one of the challenges that face Muslims in that part of the world.

Liberiawas founded byAmericato be a home for the children of African Americans – who were to be taken back toAfrica. Islam spread inLiberia, but Muslims were forced to speak English and change their names to English ones. Muslims of Liberia were the targets of genocide and wars of annihilation.  A movement was established inLiberiaunder the name "Save the Muslims of Liberia". 

In recent years, Muslims inAfricahave been facing difficulties such as: Christian proselyting missionaries, deprivation of the fortunes and wealth of their own countries, constraints placed on their education and their appointment to high-ranking positions, torture and murder. Zionist penetration intoGhanaand the misguided sects such as Qadianism and Freemasonry incurred evil repercussions and had powerful effects. This gave rise to many massacres. Nevertheless, Islamic organizations were established inAfricasuch as the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ansaar As-Sunnah Society, and others.

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