Assoumani Azali
President

(pronounced "ah-zah-LEE ah-soo-MAH-nee")

"I have seized power to save the Comoros from falling into chaos and anarchy."

Located in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and the northwest coast of Madagascar, the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros is a chain of three small volcanic islands covering a total area of 2,170 sq km (835 sq mi). The population of the Comoros was estimated at 614,382 in 2002, with over half the people living on the main island, Grand Comore, where the capital city of Moroni is located. In addition to Grand Comore, the Comoros are comprised of Anjouan and Mohéli. Since 1977, the islands have also been referred to locally by the Swahili names Njazidja (Grand Comore), Nzwani (Anjouan), and Mwali (Mohéli).

Arabs who settled on the islands brought Islam to the Comoran culture. A majority (98%) of Comorans are Sunni Muslim. The...