ISLAM

1.

Where did this religion begin?

Saudi Arabia, 7th century

2.

Where are the majority of adherents now?

Indonesia, (12.9% of Muslims)

3.

How did they come to be there?

Near the end of the 13th century Arab Muslim traders continued to spread
through the Indonesia as local rulers and royalty began to adopt it. Muslim
traders married the local women, with some of the wealthier traders marrying
into the families of the ruling elite.

Note: There is evidence of Arab Muslim traders entering Indonesia as early as

the 8th century.

4.

Provide reasons as to why this may be the case?

Trading purposes
The Indonesian archipelago was famous among early Muslim sailors,
mainly due to its abundance of precious spice trade commodities such
as nutmeg, cloves, galangal and many other spices.

Estimated 2009
Muslim Population

Percentage of
Population that
is Muslim

Percentage of
World Muslim
Population

Indonesia

202,867,000

88.2%

12.9%

Pakistan

174,082,000

96.3

11.1

India

160,945,000

13.4

10.3

Bangladesh

145,312,000

89.6

9.3

Egypt

78,513,000

94.6

5.0

Nigeria

78,056,000

50.4

5.0

Iran

73,777,000

99.4

4.7

Estimated 2009
Muslim Population

Percentage of
Population that
is Muslim

Percentage of
World Muslim
Population

Turkey*

73,619,000

~98

4.7

Algeria

34,199,000

98.0

2.2

Morocco*

31,993,000

~99

~2

CHRISTIANITY
1.Where did this religion begin?
Jerusalem

2. Where are the majority of adherents now?

United States(11.2%)

3. How did they come to be there?

Christianity was introduced to the Americas as it was first colonized by
Europeans beginning in the 16th and 17th centuries. Immigration further
increased Christian numbers.

4. Provide reasons as to why this may be the case?

Christianity wanted to "dominate the world" therefore migrating

to one of the biggest countries-United States .

Higher fertility rates

Conversion to Christianity . For example A 2015 study estimates 380,000
Muslims converted to Christianity in Algeria.

HINDUISM
1. Where did this religions begin?
India, 2000 BCE

2. Where are the majority of adherents now?

China (18.2%)

3.How did they come to be there?

It remained in India

4.

Provide reasons as to why this may be the case?

The Baudhayana Sutra, one of the Hindu Dharma Shastras, says
that "making voyages by sea" is an offense which will cause pataniya, loss
of caste.

Hinduism's rigid caste hierarchy creates a social structure that is difficult

to dismantle. It forbids Hindus to leave the country.

BUDDHISM :

1. Where did this religion begin?

Buddhism began in north-eastern India

2. Where are the majority of adherents now?

China (18.2%)

3. How did they come to be there?

Merchants of Central china traded with India. They learnt about Buddhism and
accepted it as their religion. With the support of these merchants they spread
the religion of buddhism throughout their country .

4. Provide reasons as to why this may be the case?

JUDAISM
1.

Where did this religions begin?

Canaan

2.

Where are the majority of adherents now?

United States (41.1%)

3.

How did they come to be there?

Migration

4.

Provide reasons as to why this may be the case?

Employment
refuge from the holocaust
New lifestyle