Culture: Religion

Followers of Islam are estimated to comprise 77% of Sierra Leone's population according to the US Department of State, with about 21% followers of Christianity, and 2% of the population practising indigenous animist beliefs. The 2007 UNHCR's "Report on International Religious Freedom in Sierra Leone" estimated 60% Muslim, 20 to 30% Christian and 5 to 10% other beliefs, with many citizens practising a mixture of Islam and traditional indigenous religious beliefs or Christianity and traditional indigenous beliefs. The Pew Research Center estimates the Muslim population at 71.3% (4,059,000). Muslims predominate in all of the country's three provinces and the Western Area, though formerly they were concentrated in the north with the south being mainly Christian. Another estimate puts Christianity in Sierra Leone at 30% of the population, with Islam at 60% and indigenous beliefs at 10%.
The constitution of Sierra Leone provides for freedom of religion and the government generally protects this right and does not tolerate its abuse.

By Camilla M.