July 6: National Day in Comoros
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Comoros.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com.
History Note
Comoros is an island nation in the Mozambique Channel between Africa and Madagascar. The islands played a role in historic trade networks between Africa, the Middle East, and south Asia. Comoros first appeared on a European map created in 1527 by Diego Ribero of Portugal.
France took control of the island of Mayotte in 1843 and later expanded its influence over the islands of Grand Comore, Moheli, and Anjouan. In 1974 the people of the four islands held votes on becoming independent. A majority on the three western islands voted for independence, but a majority on Mayotte chose to remain part of France.
Ahmed Abdallah, president of Comoros, declared independence on July 6, 1975. That date is now celebrated as National Day in Comoros with public gatherings and cultural festivities.
Comoros has a population of less than one million. Arabic, French, and Shikomoro (an African Bantu language) are the official languages. Nearly all of the people are Muslim, and Sunni Islam is the state religion.
This 2018 photo shows a resort on Grand Comore Island. Photo by mbrand85 / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
This video shows some of the people and natural beauty of Moheli, one of the main islands of Comoros.
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