Encyclopedia of Islam

conversion

  

165  J

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Among scholars, debate has centered on the 

question of when conversion to Islam primarily 

took place, especially in the Islamicate heartlands 

of the Middle East. The consensus, that the major-

ity of such conversions took place during the ninth 

century, is probably more correct for some areas, 

such as Iran, than for others, such as Egypt, where 

evidence points to a considerably later turning 

point. A more interesting question, however, is 

why and how conversion occurred; this question 

has yet to be taken up in a serious manner.

In the outlying areas of Islamdom, particularly 

in Southeast Asia and Central Asia, but also in 

South i

ndia

 and Bengal, conversion to Islam came 

about as a result of different factors, largely the 

role of traders and s

UFis

, who were able to offer 

a different and convincing system of belief and 

worship that attracted followers. Conversion to 

Islam continues to contribute significantly to the 

growth of the community, with major, organized 

efforts now underway in Africa, where Muslim 

and Christian missionaries are in direct competi-

tion, but also in Europe and North America.

See also 

apostasy

;  c

hristianity

 

and

  i

slam

; 

c

opts

 

and

 

the

 c

optic

 c

hUrch

; J

Udaism

 

and

 i

slam

; 

l

atin

 a

merica

.

John Iskander