Angola bans Islam

The Guardian reports that on November 22, the Angolan Minister of Culture Rosa Cruz e Silva said that "the process of legalization of Islam has not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and so their mosques would be closed until further notice."

Does a religion need to be legalized? The minister also said that the closing of mosques was done in a move to stop so-called 'illegal religious sects.' Under new laws in Angola, many religious sects have suddenly become criminal.

November 24, Angola President José Eduardo dos Santos said that the country is working toward putting an end to Islamic influence in Angola once and for all while the Governor of Luanda, Bento Bento, said that "radical" Muslims are not welcome in the country and that the Angolan government will not be legalizing mosques or other places of worship for Muslims.