Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Religion is one of humanity’s oldest philosophies, a system of belief in God that is shared by every individual, and has influenced life for centuries.
In 2020, CEOWORLD Magazine and the Global Business Policy Institute conducted a survey that measured the level of religiosity in 148 countries. Through 370 thousand world people as participants, this research explores perspectives regarding how religion can affect cultural, social and political systems around the world.
So, which countries are the most religious and believe in God in the world? The following is a list of the ten most religious countries in the world.
Somalia (Religiosity Score 99.8)
Somalia is a country that has an interesting spiritual history. Traditional African religions, Islam, and Christianity (Christianity and Catholicism) left their mark on this East African country.
Islam has played an important role in Somalia since the seventh century. In fact, Somalia was one of the first places to convert to Islam. Islam spread rapidly throughout the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia became an important center of learning for the Muslim world.
Traditional African religions also have deep roots in Somalia. Currently, there are still many Somalis who continue to carry out African traditions along with Islam.
Despite arriving in Somalia in the 12th century, Christianity is still the minority religion in this country.
Nigeria (Religiosity Score 99.7)
In terms of culture and society, Nigeria is a predominantly Muslim country with a Sunni Muslim majority.
The origins of Islam in Nigeria date back to the 15th century, when Islam was introduced through the spread of the Songhai Empire. Islam spread rapidly throughout Nigeria to become the majority religion.
Bangladesh (Religiosity Score 99.5)
Bangladesh is a country with a long and varied spiritual history.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity left their mark on this country. Buddhism and Hinduism arrived in Bangladesh in the third century. Based on history, the two religions were brought by traders from India and China.
Hinduism and Buddhism quickly spread among the ruling class and throughout the country with the construction of temples and monasteries. These religious traditions have played an important role in shaping Bangladesh’s cultural and spiritual identity, and continue to influence the country today.
Meanwhile, the religion of Islam arrived in Bangladesh in the sixth century through Muslim traders from the Middle East. Islam gradually spread across the territory of Bangladesh so that it became the dominant religion.
Then, Europeans also left their influence on the religious landscape of Bangladesh, namely by introducing Christianity in the 16th century. Today, the majority of Bangladesh’s population is Muslim with small minorities practicing Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.
Ethiopia (Religiosity Score 99.3)
Ethiopia is a country in Africa where the majority of the population is Christian. According to Ethiopian tradition, the introduction of Christianity to the Empire of Aksum occurred in the fourth century AD, when a Greek-speaking missionary, Frumentius, succeeded King Ezana. This marked the beginning of the long history of Christianity in Ethiopia.
Today, Frumentius is venerated as a saint in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Frumentius is considered an important figure in preserving and promoting the Christian faith in this country for centuries.
Besides Christianity, Islam also has a long history in Ethiopia. Historically, the first Muslim community is believed to have arrived in Ethiopia as early as the 7th century. Despite remaining a minority religion, Islam has had a significant impact on culture and history in Ethiopia.
Yemen (Religiosity Score 99.1)
Yemen is a country with an interesting spiritual history. Judaism, Christianity and Islam also left important footprints in this country.
Islam has played an important role in Yemen since the seventh century AD, when the Prophet Muhammad sent his son-in-law as Governor of Yemen. From there, Islam spread rapidly across the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen became a center of learning and knowledge for the Muslim community.
Apart from that, Judaism also has deep roots in Yemen since the first Jewish community arrived in the third century. Meanwhile, Christianity arrived in Yemen in the sixth century.
Currently, Yemen is a country with a majority Muslim population.
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Photo: Residents worship at the Jamie Darussalam mosque, on Jalan Kotabumi Ujung No. 23, Kebon Melati, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (5/4/2022). (CNBC Indonesia/Muhammad Sabki)
Residents worship at the Jamie Darussalam mosque, on Jalan Kotabumi Ujung No. 23, Kebon Melati, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (5/4/2022). (CNBC Indonesia/Muhammad Sabki) |
Malawi (Religiosity Score 99)
Malawi is a country with a complex spiritual heritage through traditional African religions, Christianity and Islam. These religions are said to have played a role in shaping Malawi’s culture and history.
For centuries, Malawi has been home to a diverse mix of traditional African religions. Until now, most people still follow these practices alongside other beliefs.
Christianity was first introduced to Malawi by European missionaries in the 19th century. Since then, Christianity has become the majority religion in Malawi.
Besides Christianity, Islam also has a long history in Malawi, namely since the first Muslim traders arrived on the coast of East Africa in the 15th century. Despite being a minority religion, Islam has had a significant impact on Malawi’s culture and history.
Indonesia (Religiosity Score 98.7)
Currently, Indonesia recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, Hinduism and Buddhism entered Indonesia through traders from India and China. Both religions spread rapidly throughout the archipelago and became popular among the elite.
Meanwhile, Islam entered Indonesia in the 13th century through the influence of Muslim traders from the Middle East. Islam gradually gained a foothold throughout the country and eventually became the majority religion in Indonesia.
Not only Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern nations, Europeans also left their influence on the Indonesian religious landscape by introducing Christianity in the 16th century.
Sri Lanka (Religiosity Score 98.6)
Sri Lanka has a long and varied religious history. The island has been home to various religious traditions and practices over the centuries with influences from Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC by the missionary monk, Mahinda, who was sent by the Indian Emperor Ashoka to spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The Buddhist tradition has its roots in Sri Lanka and is the majority religion.
Hinduism also has a long history in Sri Lanka. Thanks to this, Sri Lanka became a country with many Hindu temples and shrines.
Apart from that, Islam was also introduced to Sri Lanka in the seventh century, while Christianity started its footprint in Sri Lanka through European colonialists in the 16th century. The religious diversity of Sri Lanka reflects the complex and varied history of the island.
Mauritania (Religiosity Score 98.5)
Mauritania is located in North Africa. The country has about four million people, with the majority practicing Islam.
Although not very diverse in terms of religion, Mauritania has a fairly rich linguistic diversity. Arabic is the official language of Mauritania, but much of the population speaks French, as well as local languages, such as Soninke, Pulaar and Wolof.
Djibouti (Religiosity Score 98.2)
Djibouti is a country located on the Horn of Africa and bordering the Red Sea. Islam has played a central role in Djibouti’s identity for centuries with the majority of the population adhering to Sunni Islam. The origins of Islam in Djibouti date back to the 7th century, when Arab traders and settlers introduced Islam to the region.
One of the factors that contributed to the rapid spread of Islam in Djibouti was its location as a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange between Africa and the Middle East.
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