Religion in Madagascar

Religion in Madagascar is diverse, with Christianity being the largest religion. Significant populations of the adherents of traditional faiths and Islam are also present.

Madagascar is a secular state, and the nation's constitution provides for freedom of religious thought and expression and prohibits religious discrimination.

Christianity
Protestantism and Catholicism are the main Christian denominations in the country. The Malagasy Council of Churches comprises the four oldest and most prominent Christian denominations (Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, Lutheran, and Anglican) and has been an influential force in Malagasy politics. In the disputed 2001 presidential elections, the council rallied behind Protestant candidate Ravalomanana, whose electoral slogan was "Don't be afraid, only believe."

The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, a Reformed Protestant church, had 2.5 million adherents in 2004; former President Marc Ravalomanana served as its vice-president.

There were 21 Catholic dioceses in Madagascar in 2013, including five archdioceses.

Islam
Islam has been well established in what is now known as Madagascar for centuries and today Muslims represent 2 to 5 percent of the total population. The vast majority of Muslims in Madagascar practice Sunni Islam of the Shafi school of jurisprudence, with sizeable Shia and Ahmadiyya communities.

Hinduism
Hinduism in Madagascar began with the arrival of primarily Gujarati immigrants from the Saurashtra region of India as far back as 1870.