Muslims

Muslims are followers of Islam, a monotheistic religion that originated in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula with the Prophet Muhammad. The religion emphasizes submission to the will of Allah (God), guided by teachings in the Quran and supplemented by the Hadiths—the sayings and actions of the Prophet. As the world’s second-largest religion, Islam has over 1.8 billion adherents, with a presence across continents and cultures. It is primarily divided into Sunni and Shia branches, with Sunnis forming the majority.

Muslims are spread across diverse regions, cultures, and ethnicities. The largest Muslim populations are found in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Egypt. In India, Muslims constitute the largest religious minority, accounting for around 14% of the total population as per the 2011 census. Historically, they have made significant contributions to India’s art, architecture, literature, music, and cuisine. Muslim religious practices center around the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Muslims have often been subject to misinformation, especially during political events, elections, and social issues. In October 2024, BOOM fact-checked a viral claim that Muslims would make up 84% of India's population by 2041.

BOOM found that the claim was false; according to the Pew Research Center, Muslims are expected to account for over 18% of India's population by 2050, debunking the exaggerated claim.