Bamako serves as Mali's Islamic capital, featuring the magnificent Grand Mosque and numerous traditional Sudano-Sahelian architectural mosques that reflect centuries of Islamic heritage. The city has been a crucial center of Islamic learning and trade since medieval times, with historical connections to the great Islamic empires of West Africa including the Mali Empire. Today, over 90% of Bamako's population is Muslim, maintaining rich Islamic traditions through vibrant markets, Quranic schools, and the preservation of traditional Islamic arts and crafts.