Angola refutes reports on banning Islam

Angola has refuted reports that Islam is being banned and mosques destroyed in the southern African country, terming it an attempt by obscure interests to malign its image.
"Government of Angola categorically denies this news. It has absolutely no truth in it and is being spread to achieve some obscure interests and malign the image of Angola," a statement issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Angola here said.
It said, "As a matter of fact, no mosques were destroyed in Angola. Neither were the practioners of the Islamic faith persecuted nor are they subjected to any form of discrimination in the country."

Besides, it said it is important to note that the presence of Islam in Angola is very recent and its "legalisation is provided by Angolan Law".
An application from an Islamic confession, named as Islamic Community of Angola has been turned down in the same manner as that of 179 other Christian religious confessions "for not being able to comply with the legal requirements", it added.