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Peoples and Countries

Focus on ... East Africa

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Focus on ... East Africa

**Key Countries**: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

**Number of Ismailis**: Unknown, probably less than 20000, with 8000 in Kenya

Ismailis first arrived in East Africa in the early 19th century from India.

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Focus on ... China

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Focus on ... China

**Population**: 1.35 billion (22 million Xinjiang)

**Number of Ismailis**: 40 000

**Key Area**: Xinjiang Province - The most western of China's provinces, incorporating the Chinese Pamir Mountains. Home to the Uyghurs as well as the Chinese 'Tajiks'. Key towns are Tashkurgan and Kashgar, along with the provincial capital, Urumqi.

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Focus on ... Iran

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Focus on ... Iran

**Population**: 77 million
 
**Number of Ismailis**: Unknown, several thousand

**Key Areas**: Alamut - site of Hasan-i Sabbah's legendary castle

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Focus on ... Tajikistan

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Focus on ... Tajikistan

**Population**: 8 million
 
**Number of Ismailis**: 275 000

**Key Area**: The Pamir Mountains - A remote, semi-autonomous, ethnically distinct area of the country. Comprised of several different valleys, each with its own language, the area is home to a little over 200 000 people, mostly Ismaili.

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Focus on ... Syria

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Focus on ... Syria

**Population**: 22.5 million
 
**Number of Ismailis**:  200 000

**Key Area**: Salamiyah - An ancient city, dating back to the time of the Babylonians. Over 50% of the 70 000 people living here are Ismaili and they represent the largest concentration of Ismailis in the Arab world.

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Ugandan Refugees

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Ugandan Refugees

On 4th August 1972, Idi Amin expelled all non-Africans. Among these were almost 40 000 Indian Ismailis. 

You can read more about their plight *here*

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Focus on ... Pakistan

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Focus on ... Pakistan

**Population**: 180 million
 
**Number of Ismailis**: 310 000 

**Key Areas**: 

* Chitral (160 000)
* Hunza Valley (80 000)
* Karachi (30-50 000)

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