Religion
| Religion in Noakhali District | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | Percent | |||
| Islam | 94.10% | |||
| Hinduism | 5.90% | |||
| Christianity | 0.77% | |||
| Buddhism | 0.23% | |||
All the four major religions are represented in Noakhali.While Muslims comprises 94.10% of the district's population, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists form 5.90%, 0.77% and 0.23% respectively. Hinduism is the oldest faith practiced in the area. Buddhism came later in two phases - first through conversion in the early ages and then through forced settlement of the Burmese (Mogh) invaders by Moghul General Chuti Khan. Islam entered Noakhali by conversion - first by Arab traders and then by Muslim preachers coming with the Afghan and Moghul Rulers of Bengal. Christians in Noakhali are mostly direct descendants of Portuguese colonials and they still carry Portuguese family names. Under a truce with East India Company, Portuguese colonials were forced to leave Noakhali and Barisal coast and resettled in Goa, Domon and Dew of India. But they left behind the non-combatant Portuguese civilians. Most of the Portuguese Forts and Churches in the district were destroyed when Noakhali city submerged in the Meghna River.
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