According to this passage, Islam was initially introduced to West African through. A. The trans-Saharan trade B. foreign missionaries C. Conquests by Islamic states D. The migration of Muslim artists and scholars

A. The trans-Saharan trade

According to the passage, Islam was initially introduced to West Africa through A. The trans-Saharan trade.

To find the answer to this question, we can start by carefully reading the passage provided. Look for any information that might give us clues about how Islam was introduced to West Africa.

Now, let's examine each option and see if any match with what we've learned from the passage:

A. The trans-Saharan trade: The trans-Saharan trade refers to the trade routes that crossed the Sahara Desert. While the trade may have facilitated cultural exchange, it does not explicitly mention the introduction of Islam.

B. Foreign missionaries: Foreign missionaries are individuals who travel to a different region or country to spread their religion. Again, the passage does not mention foreign missionaries as the means of introducing Islam to West Africa.

C. Conquests by Islamic states: Here, we see a reference to conquests by Islamic states. This suggests that Islam was introduced through military campaigns and the subsequent rule of these Islamic states.

D. The migration of Muslim artists and scholars: The passage does not mention anything about the migration of Muslim artists and scholars as a means of introducing Islam to West Africa.

Based on the information provided in the passage, the most plausible answer is:

C. Conquests by Islamic states.

Therefore, Islam was initially introduced to West Africa through the conquests by Islamic states.