Islam in South Africa predates the colonial period, and consisted of isolated contact with
Arab and
East African traders. Many South African Muslims are described as
Coloureds, notably in the
Western Cape, including those whose ancestors came as slaves from the Indonesian archipelago (the
Cape Malays). Others are described as
Indians, notably in
Kwazulu-Natal, including those whose ancestors came as traders from
South Asia; they have been joined by others from other parts of
Africa as well as white or black South African converts. However, the current Muslim tradition in the country dates from the arrival of Sheikh Abdurahman Matebe Shah, a
Malay sheikh from
Sumatra, in 1668.
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