The Europa World Year Book states that in 1963, 47 per cent of the Nigerian population was Muslim but does not provide a breakdown of the different Muslim sects (1998, 2551).

A missionary of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (Canada), stated that the Ahmadiyya Movement has been operating in Nigeria with large concentrations in Lagos and Kanu since the 1940s, but the Movement has followers all over Nigeria (4 May 1999). He stated that the Ahmadiyya Movement builds and runs schools, clinics, field hospitals, mosques, distributes the Koran and literature, and teaches the doctrines of the founder of the movement, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (ibid.).

He clarified that the majority of the Ahmadis in Nigeria belong to Quadian sect and are therefore known as Quadianis. The missionary admitted, however, that the Ahmadis in Nigeria have met with "stiff " opposition from other Muslim sects in northern Nigeria, particularly Muslim fundamentalists but not Christians (ibid.). He added that there are some Lahoris who also operate in Nigeria but their numbers are not significant. Furthermore, he clarified, Nigeria has a large number of Ahmadis who are neither Quadianis nor Lahoris but whose teachings originate in the Ahmadiyya doctrines (ibid.).

However, the vice-president of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore community in the United States (popularly known as Ahmadiyya Lahoris) categorically denied that there are any Lahoris in Nigeria (4 May 1999). "They call themselves Lahoris but I know for a fact that they are not Lahoris" (ibid.). For differences between the Lahoris and the Quadianis, please consult the numerous Responses to Information Requests on the same subject available at Regional Documentation Centres.

No reports on the Hamadiya Islamiyya could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (Canada), Ottawa. 4 May 1999. Telephone interview with missionary.

Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore Inc. (U.S.A), Columbus, Ohio. May 1999. Telephone interview with vice-president.

The Europa World Year Book 1998. 1998. 39th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. Monthly. 1993-1999. Vols. 30-35.

Encyclopedia of Islam. 1993. New. ed. Vol. 7. Edited by C.E. Bosworth et al. Leien: E.J. Brill.

The Encylopedia of Religion. 1987. Vol. 7. Edited by Mircea Eliade. New York: McMillan Publishing Company.

Resource Centre. Country File. Nigeria. 1995-1999.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Internet, World News Connection (WCN).

Four oral sources contacted did not provide information on the requested subject.