CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction This chapter presents the introduction of the study, the background of the study, the statement of the problem, the purpose of the study, research objectives, research questions, scope of the study, significance of the study, methodology and literature review and organization layout. 1.1 Background to the Study The concept of Khadi Courts is strongly believed that Assyrians and Sumerians from Iraq, where earliest civilization of the world arose found their way to the East African coast1. They sailed across the oceans for opportunities and trade and subsequently discovered route to the Eastern Africa. Historical and archaeological evidence support this finding Black magic practiced along the coast of Eastern Africa is said to be identical to that practiced in Iraq2 • Historians have recorded long existence of trade relationship between the Arabs and the inhabitants of the East African coast. The Kingdom of Aksum, the present Ethiopia and Eritrea had trade contact with Arabian traders including the Quresh of Makkah among others3 • This was long before the advent of Islam. Therefore, the contact of Islam with the region of Eastern Africa was rather a continuation of a long standing relationship between the two regions.