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Islam is the faith of the majority of the residents of the island of Mayotte with 98% as Muslims and 2% Christians according to a 2012 estimate.[1] 85,000 of the total 90,000 inhabitants of the island are Mahorais.[2] The Mahorais are a blend of settlers from many areas: mainland Africans, Arabs and Malagasy. The presence of Islam in Mayotte can traced back to at least the 15th century.[3]
The Muslims of Mayotte are Sunni Muslims.[4] Despite the strong presence of Islam, Mahorese culture is imbued with animism and mystical rituals are still widely practiced, especially among the community of Malagasy origin.[4]
The practice of Islam in Mayotte has been described as tolerant.[5]