Comoros - Religions

Islam is followed by about 99% of Comorians. Almost all Comorians are Sunni Muslims. Only about 300 persons—approximately 1% of the population—are Christian, all of whom reportedly converted to Christianity within the last half of the 1990s. Following a 1999 military coup, the May 2000 constitution did not allow for freedom of religion. The December 2001 constitution does provide for this freedom, however, it also makes Islam the state religion and the government tends to discourage the practice of other faiths. The practice of Christianity is particularly restricted. There are two Roman Catholic churches and one Protestant church. Since before the 1999 coup, the government has restricted the use of these churches to noncitizens only. Harassment and social discrimination of Christians is widespread.