Religion in Comoros

Most people in Comoros are Sunni Muslims, estimated at about 98% of the population. Small Shia, Ahmadi, Roman Catholic and Protestant communities also exist, with non-Muslims mainly among foreign residents and with minority communities concentrated especially in Moroni and Mutsamudu. Shia and Ahmadi communities are particularly documented on Anjouan. Sunni religious life usually takes place through mosques and imams, with Ramadan fasting, Eid observance, Maoulid or Mawlid, Dhikir, Haouli, Hitma, the fast of 27 Rajab, Tahahili and Thalkini among the locally recognized practices. The state religious framework refers to Sunni Islam under the AHL I SUNNAT WAL DJAMAAN tradition and the Chafi'i rite. The Mufti of the Republic is the highest religious state authority and is appointed by the President. The Council of Ulémas provides Islamic religious guidance, while the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Public Service, mosques, imams and island or local authorities also affect religious practice. The Council of Ulémas is an Islamic body, not a nationwide interfaith council; no robust formal interfaith-council equivalent has been evidenced. The constitution combines Islam's status as the state religion with equality before the law without religious discrimination and protected basic freedoms. In practice, public religious activity that does not conform to the official Sunni framework can face restrictions when it is considered capable of causing social disorder, harming social cohesion or threatening national unity. Under Loi n°08-011/AU, such conduct can carry five months to one year of imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 Comorian francs. Desecrating the Quran can carry one to five years of imprisonment and a fine of 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 Comorian francs. Insulting or making prohibited comments about Muhammad, his companions or his wives can carry one to three years of imprisonment and a fine of 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 Comorian francs. Religious authorities may file a complaint. Proselytizing, except for Sunni Islam, is illegal, and foreign proselytizers can face deportation. Minority groups report self-censorship and private worship. On Anjouan, access to a Shia mosque has been restricted, with a community center serving as an alternative. Conversion away from Islam or from Sunni Islam to Shia Islam can also lead to social stigma. No uniform national procedure for leaving a religion has been evidenced. Quranic and madrassa education form an established religious-education pathway, and the Ministry of Education has prioritized integrating renewed Quranic education into the national system. State schools exist alongside these institutions, but current evidence does not establish uniform national rules for admission, fees, accreditation or equivalence. Ramadan instructions are issued by the minister responsible for Islamic affairs after consultation with the Council of Ulémas. Exact annual dates, public-holiday status and pay treatment for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Maoulid, the Islamic New Year and other observances require checking the current decree. Marriage is directly regulated by the religious framework. The Code de la famille requires a Muslim marriage and includes rules for mixed marriages; the minimum marriage age is 18, although a judge may grant a dispensation for serious legitimate grounds. Proof of Muslim confession or conversion may be required. No current nationwide uniform religious pathway has been evidenced for naming, birth registration, death procedures or funerals. Religious services generally have no reliable nationwide tariff or standard processing time; mosque and community activities are often low-cost or donation-based, while ceremonies, education and pilgrimage can vary by provider and location.