Gao and Ghana
For many people, the idea of Islam in sub-Saharan Africa is a mystery.
Certainly, we know that Islam dominates in several African nations such as Senegal, Somalia, and Mali. And we know that there are large Muslim populations in other nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana.
But few people understand how Islam came to this area nor its fascinating history. For many people, Africa is a dark void, unknown before the coming of European colonists and slavers.
Needless to say, the exact opposite is true. There were cities, kingdoms, and even empires in Africa long before Christopher Columbus was even born. And some of the most magnificent, wealthiest, and most powerful of these empires, were ruled by dark-skinned, African Muslims.