Islam in Asia

Islam in Asia began in the 7th century during the lifetime of Muhammad. Today, it is the largest religion in Asia, with many Muslims living there. Some countries with large Muslim populations include Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.

Asia is home to many important regions for Muslims, such as West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. People have been following Islam in parts of Asia since the start of Islamic history. The religion has deep roots and is important in the culture and daily life of many people across the continent.

History

Islam started to spread outside of Arabia through important trade routes that connected West Asia to China.

Some early leaders helped Islam grow. The Barmakid family supported important leaders and helped share knowledge, especially in science and medicine. They were also known for building new cities and supporting scholars. Their stories appear in famous tales like The Book of One Thousand and One Nights.

Demographics

Main article: Islam in Central Asia

Main article: Islam in East Asia

Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou, the oldest mosque in China

Main article: Islam in South Asia

The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan during Eid al-Fitr. It is a historical and the second largest mosque in South Asia

Main article: Islam in Southeast Asia

Kaaba Inside the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with pilgrims performing the Hajj, Kaaba is the direction of prayer of Muslims to Allah

Main article: Religion in the Middle East


Country	Total Population	Muslim Percentage	Muslim Population
Kazakhstan	18,744,548	70.2%	13,158,672
Kyrgyzstan	6,019,480	90.6%	5,194,811
Tajikistan	8,734,951	98.0%	8,560,251
Turkmenistan	5,851,466	96.1%	5,459,417
Uzbekistan	32,653,900	96.5%	31,511,013
Central Asia	72,004,345	90.6%	66,884,164


Country	Total Population	Muslim Percentage	Muslim Population
China	1,447,620,350	1.8%	30,000,000
Hong Kong	7,450,000	4.2%	320,000
Macau	660,000	1.5%	10,000
Japan	126,420,000	0.19%	230,000
North Korea	25,610,672	0.02%	5,000
South Korea	51,635,256	0.38%	196,454
Mongolia	3,231,200	5.0%	161,560
Taiwan	23,577,488	0.3%	70,732
East Asia	1,633,202,416	3.13%	30,977,150


Country	Total Population	Muslim Percentage	Muslim Population
Afghanistan	49,552,566	99.7%	49,403,908
Bangladesh	165,000,000	90.4%	149,100,000
Bhutan	727,145	0.2%	7,000
India	1,338,270,000	15.6%	213,000,000
Maldives	378,114	100%	378,114
Nepal	29,218,867	4.4%	1,285,630
Pakistan	231,085,590	96.50%	200,400,000
Sri Lanka	21,444,000	9.7%	2,080,068
South Asia	1,817,333,303	32.43%	620,083,325


Country	Total Population	Muslim Percentage	Muslim Population
Brunei	460,345	82.7%	380,705
Cambodia	16,204,486	2%	312,540
East Timor	1,291,358	0.3%	4,000
Indonesia	266,500,000	86.7%	231,070,000
Laos	7,126,706	0.1%	8,000
Malaysia	32,730,000	63.5%	20,623,140
Myanmar	55,123,814	4.15%	2,300,000
Philippines	112,018,293	11%	12,322,012
Singapore	5,888,926	15.6%	918,672
Thailand	68,414,135	5.0%	3,420,706
Vietnam	96,160,163	0.1%	196,000
Southeast Asia	679,726,700	40.8%	277,346,378


Country	Total Population	Muslim Percentage	Muslim Population
Armenia	2,975,000	0.03%	1,000
Azerbaijan	10,027,874	96.9%	9,727,038
Bahrain	1,496,300	81.2%	1,214,995
Cyprus	854,800	25.4%	217,119
Georgia	3,723,464	10.7%	463,062
Iran	81,871,500	99%	81,052,785
Iraq	39,339,753	98.0%	38,552,957
Israel	8,930,680	17.7%	1,580,730
Jordan	10,261,300	94.0%	9,645,622
Kuwait	4,226,920	85.0%	3,592,882
Lebanon	6,093,509	54.0%	3,200,000
Oman	4,651,706	99.0%	4,605,188
Palestine	4,816,503	93.0%,	4,479,347
Qatar	2,561,643	77.5%	1,985,273
Saudi Arabia	33,413,660	100.0%	33,413,660
Syria	18,284,407	87.0%	15,907,434
Turkey	80,810,525	99.8%	80,648,903
United Arab Emirates	9,582,340	80.0%	7,665,872
Yemen	28,915,284	99.1%	28,915,284
West Asia	352,837,168	79.45%	326,869,151

History

Demographics

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