religious observances conscientiously and strictly adhere to religious orthodoxy. During colonization, the French did not attempt to supplant Islamic practices and were careful to respect the precedents of sharia as interpreted by the Shafi'i school of thought. All Muslim holidays are observed, including Id al-Adha, Muharram, Ashura, Mawlid, Laylat al-Mi'raj and Ramadan. Mawlid is marked by celebrations culminating in a feast prepared for the ulama. Many women wear the chirumani, a printed cloth worn around the body. Comorians often consult mwalimus or fundi and marabouts for healing and protection from jinn. Mwalimus activate jinn to determine propitious days for feasts, have a successful marriage, conduct healing ceremonies, and prepare amulets containing Quranic ayat. Political Islam The chaotic economic and political climate since independence in 1975 has been detrimental to the development of human rights and social justice. Rival factions have sought to mobilize religious support both to uphold and contest political power and social inequality. Political opponents have relied on their own interpretation of the Quran and hadith, advocating Shariah to rectify political corruption. Competing Islamic views have entered politics, both to justify and challenge the government. European trained government officials have adopted Western political ideologies and secularism while continuing to support leaders of Islamic brotherhoods. Islamism and Wahhabism has become increasingly as students returned from Islamic studies abroad. In response to perceived injustice and chaos within the Comorian government, Islamists hope to create an Islamic republic. Suspected al-Qaeda member Fazul Abdullah Mohammed was born in Moroni in the Comoros and has Kenyan as well as Comorian citizenship. See also Islam by country List of non-Arab Sahaba Religion in the Comoros References Ahmed, Abdallah Chanfi. Islam et politique aux Comores: Évolution de l'authorité spirituelle depuis le Protectorat français (1886) jusqu'à nos jours. Harmattan, 1999. Newitt, Malyn. The Comoro Islands: Struggle against Dependency in the Indian Ocean.Westview 1984. Ottenheimer, Martin. Marriage in Domoni: Husbands and Wives in an Indian Ocean Community. Waveland Press, 1984. Ottenheimer, Martin. Historical Dictionary of the Comoro Islands. Scarecrow Press, 1994. Notes