The Beginnings and Development of Islam and Quranic Schools in East Africa

Abstract

The establishment of Islam and Quranic schools in East Africa and Africa at large had a long history. This is because different historians and Islamic philosophers have different views towards the establishment of Islam and Islamic education or Quranic schools in East Africa. This paper is aimed to inform the East African population about the establishment and development of Islam and Quranic schools in East Africa. The paper discusses the period when the Islam as a religion was introduced in East Africa, reasons for its establishment and the reasons for its spread and its expansion in East Africa. Furthermore, the paper provides the structure of Islamic education through Quranic schools, the main features of Quranic schools as well as the contributions of Islamic education or Quranic schools towards socio-economic development of the people along the Coast of East Africa.

Keywords:Islam, Quran, Quranic schools, Education