Statistics for Islam in Sierra Leone estimate a Muslim population of 3,610,585, representing around 60 percent of the country's total population. There are 18 ethnic groups in the country, the two largest being the Temnes and Mendes. The Temnes (ex-president Siaka Stevens is Temne) are the main tribe in the north and are predominately Muslim. A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ... Siaka Probyn Stevens (August 24, 1905–May 29, 1988) was the President of Sierra Leone from 1971 to 1985. ...

In the early 18th century Fulani and Mande-speaking tribesmen from the Fouta Djallon region of present-day Guinea converted many Temne of northern Sierra Leone to Islam. During the period of British colonialization, the spread of Islam was indirectly favored by the spread of peace and order and stimulating trade. The Europeans broke down the traditonal structures of society, introduced new educational and social ideas, opened markets, attracted migrant Africans to growing cities, and thereby indirectly promoted Islam as a form of authority and as an expression of cohesion among displaced peoples. Islam also continued to spread after independence in 1961; in 1960 the Muslim population was 35 percent and grew to 60 percent by 2000. Categories: Africa-related stubs | Burkina Faso | Cameroon | Ethnic groups of Africa | Fulani Empire | Mali | Nigeria ... Mande refers to: the Mandé people of western Africa the Mande or Mandinka people of western Africa any of the Mande languages the Mande or Mandinka language This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Fouta Djallon is a highland region in Guinea, West Africa. ... Temne can refer to: The Mel Temne language, one of the four official languages of Sierra Leone, Africa. ... Islam (Arabic: ; ( (help· info)), submission (to the will of God) is a monotheistic faith and the worlds second-largest religion with approximately 1. ...