Who brought Islam into Mali?

Islam was introduced to the Mali Empire in the 11th century, but it wasn’t until the 14th century that it became the dominant religion. Many of the empire’s rulers, including Mansa Musa, were devout Muslims and helped to spread the religion throughout West Africa. Mansa Musa becomes king of the Mali Empire, ushering in a period of great prosperity and expansion. 1324: Mansa Musa embarks on a pilgrimage to Mecca, bringing with him a large entourage and vast amounts of gold. His pilgrimage earns him fame throughout the Islamic world and establishes Mali as a major center of trade and scholarship. 1337-1374: Reign of Mansa Suleyman, who continues the expansion of the Mali Empire and establishes Timbuktu as a center of Islamic scholarship and learning. The city of Timbuktu, which was located in the heart of the empire, became a major center of Islamic scholarship and learning, and was home to many universities and madrasas. Under the leadership of Sundiata Keita and his successors, the Mali Empire became one of the wealthiest and most powerful empires in Africa.

Berber traders helped spread Islam during the 8th century along the trade routes that crisscrossed West Africa. One of the most well-known empires to adopt Islam was the Mali Empire. Mansa Musa made Islam the official state religion and famously went on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. The Songhai Empire adopted Islam as well, although many people continued practicing their traditional belief systems. By the 16th century, the city of Timbuktu in Mali had become a major center of Islamic learning, attracting scholars from across the Muslim world. The Almoravids there introduced a fundamentalist version of Islam and enforced stricter religious practices and Islamic law among West African Muslims. West African rulers usually adopted Islam while blending it with traditional local practices. The Songhai Empire supported Islamic institutions and sponsored the construction of mosques, public buildings, and libraries. One of the most notable examples is the Great Mosque of Djenné, a mud-brick building in Djenné, Mali, built in the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style.