Angola 'bans' Islam, Muslims, becomes first country to do so

According to several newspapers, the
tiny African country of Angola has
become the first country in the world to
ban Islam and Muslims.
The Angolan Minister of Culture, Rosa
Cruz e Silva was quoted by news
agencies and Angola newspapers as
saying, "The process of legalisation of
Islam has not been approved by the
Ministry of Justice and Human rights,
their mosques would be closed until
further notice."
As part of the ban, the Angolan
government ordered the demolition of
the mosques in the country.
According to Silva, the decision was the
latest in a series of efforts to ban
"illegal" religious sects in the country.
Silva's statement was made during her
appearance last week at the 6th
Commission of the National Assembly.
According to the minister, the move
was necessitated in order to fight the
emergence of congregations whose
worshipping is contradictory to the
customs of Angola culture.
Not just Islam, many other faiths which
have not been legalised will face closure
of their houses of worship.
Silva further said, "All sects on the list
published by the Ministry of Justice and
Human Rights in the Angolan
newspaper 'Jornal de Angola' are
prohibited to conduct worship, so they
should keep their doors closed," she
was quoted by Cameroon Voice?.
"In addition, we also have a long list of
more than a thousand legalization
applications," she added.
Speaking about it, Angolan President
Jose Eduardo dos Santos said, "This is
the final end of Islamic influence in our
country.