Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – There are a number of countries in the world that make religious law the official state law. However, this regulation does not necessarily mean that a country’s residents are categorized as religious.

Iran, for example, even though it applies Islamic sharia law, apparently its population is not religious, at least according to a survey conducted by CEOWORLD Magazine and the Global Business Policy Institute.

The survey itself measures the level of religiosity in 148 countries. Using 370 thousand people from the world as participants, this research explores perspectives on how religion influences cultural, social and political systems throughout the world.

The following is a list of the 10 most religious countries in the world according to the survey.

1. Somalia (Religiosity Score 99.8)

Somalia is a country with an interesting spiritual history. Traditional African religions, Islam, and Christianity (Christianity and Catholicism) left their mark on this East African country.

Islam has played an important role in Somalia since the seventh century. In fact, Somalia was one of the first places to embrace Islam. Islam spread rapidly throughout the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia became an important center of learning for the Muslim world.

Traditional African religions also have deep roots in Somalia. Today, there are still many Somali people who continue to practice African traditions alongside Islam.

Despite arriving in Somalia in the 12th century, Christianity is still a minority religion in the country.

2. Nigeria (Religiosity Score 99.7)

In terms of culture and society, Nigeria is a country where the majority of the population adheres to Islam with the majority being Sunni Muslims.

The origins of Islam in Nigeria date back to the 15th century, when Islam was introduced through the spread of the Songhai Empire. Islam spread rapidly throughout Nigeria to become the majority religion.

3. Bangladesh (Religiosity Score 99.5)

Bangladesh is a country with a long and varied spiritual history.

Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity left their mark on the country. Buddhism and Hinduism arrived in Bangladesh in the third century. Historically, these two religions were brought by traders from India and China.

Hinduism and Buddhism quickly spread among the ruling class and throughout the country with the construction of temples and monasteries. These religious traditions have played an important role in shaping Bangladesh’s cultural and spiritual identity, and continue to influence the country today.

Meanwhile, Islam arrived in Bangladesh in the sixth century through Muslim traders from the Middle East. Islam gradually spread throughout Bangladesh and became the dominant religion.

Then, Europeans also left their influence on the religious landscape of Bangladesh, namely by introducing Christianity in the 16th century. Currently, the majority of Bangladesh’s population is Muslim with small minorities adhering to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

4. Ethiopia (Religiosity Score 99.3)

Photo: Ethiopian Citizen (Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press via AP)

Ethiopia is a country in Africa where the majority of the population is Christian. According to Ethiopian tradition, the introduction of Christianity to the Aksum Empire occurred in the fourth century AD, when a Greek-speaking missionary, Frumentius, succeeded King Ezana. This marked the beginning of the long history of Christianity in Ethiopia.

Today, Frumentius is venerated as a saint in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Frumentius is considered an important figure in preserving and promoting the Christian faith in the country for centuries.

Apart from Christianity, Islam also has a long history in Ethiopia. According to history, the first Muslim community is believed to have arrived in Ethiopia as early as the 7th century. Although it remains a minority religion, Islam has had a significant impact on culture and history in Ethiopia.

5. Yemen (Religiosity Score 99.1)

Yemen is a country with a fascinating spiritual history. Judaism, Christianity and Islam have also left important traces in the country.

Islam has played an important role in Yemen since the seventh century AD, namely when the Prophet Muhammad sent his son-in-law as Governor of Yemen. From there, Islam spread rapidly throughout the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen became a center of learning and knowledge for Muslim communities.

Additionally, Judaism also has deep roots in Yemen since the first Jewish community arrived as early as the third century. Meanwhile, Christianity arrived in Yemen in the sixth century.

Currently, Yemen is a country with a majority Muslim population.

6. Malawi (Religiosity Score 99)

Malawi is a country with a complex spiritual heritage through traditional African religions, Christianity, and Islam. These religions are said to have played a role in shaping the culture and history of Malawi.

For centuries, Malawi has been home to a diverse mix of traditional African religions. To this day, most people still follow these practices along with other beliefs.

Christianity was first introduced to Malawi by European missionaries in the 19th century. Since then, Christianity has become the majority religion in Malawi.

Apart from Christianity, Islam also has a long history in Malawi, since the first Muslim traders arrived on the East African coast in the 15th century. Despite being a minority religion, Islam has had a significant impact on Malawi’s culture and history.

7. Indonesia (Religiosity Score 98.7)

Photo: A woman helps her daughter to put on a praying robe prior to the start of ‘tarawih’ an evening prayer marking the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, April 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) Currently, Indonesia recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, Hinduism and Buddhism entered Indonesia through traders from India and China. Both religions spread rapidly throughout the islands and became popular among the elite.

Meanwhile, Islam entered Indonesia in the 13th century through the influence of Muslim traders from the Middle East. Islam gradually gained a foothold throughout the country and eventually became the majority religion in Indonesia.

Not only Indians, Chinese and Middle Easterners, Europeans also left their influence on Indonesia’s religious landscape by introducing Christianity in the 16th century.

8. Sri Lanka (Religiosity Score 98.6)

Sri Lanka has a long and varied religious history. The island has been home to various religious traditions and practices for centuries with influences from Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.

Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC by the missionary monk, Mahinda, who was sent by the Indian Emperor Ashoka to spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The Buddhist tradition has its roots in Sri Lanka and is the majority religion.

Hinduism also has a long history in Sri Lanka. Thanks to this, Sri Lanka has become a country with many Hindu temples and holy places.

Apart from that, Islam was also introduced to Sri Lanka in the seventh century, while Christianity made its mark on Sri Lanka through European invaders in the 16th century. Sri Lanka’s religious diversity reflects the island’s complex and varied history.

9. Mauritania (Religiosity Score 98.5)

Mauritania is located in North Africa. This country has around four million residents with the majority following the Islamic religion.

Even though it is not very diverse in terms of religion, Mauritania has quite rich linguistic diversity. Arabic is Mauritania’s official language, but many residents speak French, as well as local languages, such as Soninke, Pulaar, and Wolof.

10. Djibouti (Religiosity Score 98.2)

Djibouti is a country located in the Horn of Africa and borders the Red Sea. Islam has played a central role in Djibouti’s identity for centuries with the majority of the population adhering to Sunni Islam. The origins of Islam in Djibouti date back to the 7th century, when Arab traders and settlers introduced Islam to the region.

One of the factors that made the spread of Islam occur quickly in Djibouti was the location at the crossroads of trade and cultural exchange between Africa and the Middle East.

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