Answer:
the commercial centers of west Africa and the Swahili city-states.
Explanation:
<em>the commercial centers of west Africa and the Swahili city-states</em> – <u>this is the correct answer. Islam had a big presence in west Africa, especially on the Swahili coast.</u> As city-states started to blossom and become a trade and commercial center, Islam became more and more present in these places. Part of the wealth of city-states is attributed to Islam as well, as they truly flourished after the conversion because of Muslim merchants. <u>Archeologists found remains of the mosques in these areas. </u>
<em>areas that had previously had contact with Christian missionaries</em><em> </em>– this is not the right answer. The areas who have contact with Christian missionaries weren't popular among Muslims.
<em> areas that had forsaken the traditional religions because of famine or plague </em> - this is not the correct answer. These areas did not have a big Muslim population.
<em> the thinly populated rural areas</em> – this is not the correct answer. Islam wasn’t popular in rural areas.