Cameroun, insights into the Muslim’s in this country

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Cameroon is Africa in Miniature

Four years ago, in a strongly Muslim city of Cameroon, a Muslim from the Bamoun people group left his wife and children at church each Sunday and picked them up after the service. This may be surprising to those who do not know how Islam was practised among the Bamouns, but this did not surprise the local community. At that time the Bamouns were well known for their religious tolerance. Today the Bamoun region has been torn by bloody conflict among rival Muslim brotherhoods, at present Islam is becoming more and more radical in Cameroon. Some of these conflicts have received significant media attention in Africa.

This bilingual nation situated in the centre of Africa is also called “Africa in miniature” because of the diversity of its climate, cultures, religions and ethnic groups (both English and French are official languages). The climate varies from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north. The capital is called Yaounde and there are 10 provinces in Cameroon. Cameroon is known around the world for its numerous successes in soccer.

Cameroon Culture

Christianity is mainly practised in the southern part of the country while in the North Islam dominates and Animism also occupies and important place *(see note below). Churches are growing in the North. Up until now the various religious groups have had a fairly peaceful co-existence. Unfortunately now radical Islamic ideas are taking root threatening this nation which has been a haven in a region of turmoil. Some Islamic publications and radio programs are openly attacking the Bible and Christianity. Controversial debates and internal strife among Muslim groups are beginning to worry the whole country. The establishment of a government representative in charge of the relations with Islamic nations was a major step for a supposedly secular country. Some fear that the Islamic fundamentalism present in northern Nigeria will spill across the border and influence the north of Cameroon (Several parts of northern Nigeria have adopted Muslim religious law as their legal code in contradiction to the national constitution). Even though Christianity is the dominate religion nation-wide in Cameroon it is suffering from theological liberalism, nominalism divisions and syncretism. The church needs revival in order to meet the challenge of Islam. Christians need to learn how to evangelise Muslims and grow in their understanding of Islam. It is a challenge for the church in Cameroon to respectfully, wisely and lovingly proclaim the message of Christ to Muslims.

* NOTE:

Regarding Islam’s dominance in the North, an Anthropology consultant writes:

Animism is mainly practicsed in the south - even among the “christians” though there are bright lights of orthodox christianity. Churches are growing in the north - and that is the stronghold of Christianity. Islam does NOT dominate the north (though muslims would like us to believe that!! ). Islam is about 1/3, Christianity is about 1/3, and African traditional ethnic religions is about 80%. Underlying both Islam and Christianity is a great reservoir of traditional ethnic worldview that dominates in almost all crsis.

Islam does NOT dominate the north. It is a major player but, does not yet dominate. Pakistani wahabi is coming in like a flood to radicalize the muslims - and Saudi oil money gives each ‘convert’ to Islam a substantial sum of money.

Prayer Guide for Cameroon

* Praise God for the relative peace, which is present in Cameroon. Pray that this will continue and that religious liberty will be respected across the whole country.

* Pray for a revival of faith, hope and love among the Christians that would be expressed in unity and diversity in evangelism and worship.

* Pray again the expansion of Islamic fundamentalism in all its forms.

* Special prayer is needed concerning the occult practices linked to folk Islam in Cameroon. God’s power will need to be manifested.

* Pray for the salvation of Muslims especially in the far North of Cameroon. May the organised efforts to evangelise the country bare fruit and be strengthened.

Background on Cameroon (World Factbook)

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy headed by President Paul BIYA.

Economy of Cameroon

Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. International oil and cocoa prices have a significant impact on the economy.

Statistics on Cameroon

Population: 18,467,692 — see notes below (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 53.3 years

Ethnic groups: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Languages: 24 major African language groups. English (official), French (official). See notes below

Literacy: 67.9%

Population Notes: Population estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.

Language Notes: Operation World adds that there are over 280 languages, maybe 500 or more ethnic groups making Cameroon Africa’s most complex country. Ethnologue.com offers the complete list.