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US and Kenya lead in Islamic conversions, reveals Pew Research

Friday 28 - 11:20 By: Dakir Madiha

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A recent report from the Pew Research Center highlights the United States and Kenya as the leading countries for conversions to Islam. The study examined religious switching among 13 nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Tunisia, alongside others such as Turkiye, Singapore, and Indonesia.

The findings indicate that 20% of Muslims in the US are converts, many of whom were raised in Christian households. In Kenya, the conversion rate stands at 11%, with a similar trend observed where most new Muslims were previously Christians.

Despite these figures, Islam remains a minority religion in both nations, accounting for approximately 1% of the adult population in the US and 11% in Kenya. The report underscores that most individuals who convert cite their previous Christian upbringing as a significant factor in their religious transition.

While there is a noticeable increase in conversions, the report also reveals that fewer than 25% of Muslims in the surveyed countries have abandoned their faith. Many who leave Islam tend to identify as agnostic, atheist, or revert to Christianity.

Pew Research's analysis suggests minimal overall change in religious affiliation, with only 3% or fewer adults switching to or from Islam across the 13 nations studied. Indonesia exemplifies this trend, where 93% of adults maintain the faith they were raised in, with less than 1% reporting a shift away from Islam.

The report also highlights retention rates among those raised as Muslims, showing that in most regions, over 90% continue to identify as Muslims in adulthood. In the US, 13% of those who left Islam do not affiliate with any religion, while 6% identify as Christians. Similar trends are seen in Kenya and Ghana, where 8% and 6% of former Muslims respectively now consider themselves Christians.

Overall, the Pew Research Center’s findings reaffirm a decade-long trend: while Islam is the fastest-growing religion globally, the faith retains a strong hold on its adherents, with new converts continually drawn to its teachings.