Reimagining a History of Islam in Africa (South of the Sahara)
A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 415
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The history of Islam in Africa, since its spread in the 7th century, has always been in the “process of negotiation and adjustment”, through its interaction with multiple traditions — African cultures, the colonial experience, African responses, and African Muslim diasporic experiences. Firstly, rather than view Islam as an insular African affair, this Special Issue of Religions encourages scholars to examine the History of Islam in Africa as “a malleable and inherently adaptable …” historical narrative, which benefits from interaction with the global network of Muslim relationships. Secondly, while many studies in the past have used a teleological approach in the discussion of (1) the leisurely penetration of Islam into Africa, South of the Sahara, (2) the Sufi orders and (3) jihad movements, and of (4) the ‘modernist’ and ‘reformist’ notions of Islam, this Special Issue invites scholars to not only incorporate the already documented narratives on these themes. Rather researchers are encouraged to also give primacy to the historically lived but changing religious experience of African Muslims.
Papers should focus on the study of the spread, growth and impact of Islam in Africa, particularly in areas South of the Sahara. Scholars are encouraged to examine connections between regions, the impact of external forces, such as colonial encroachment diasporic experiences, on these areas, or the varied African responses to these phenomena.
This special issue of Religions is expansive but not limited to the following:
- The spread of Islam;
- Islamic religious education and scholarship;
- Sufism, and Tariqa orders: their significance in keeping Islamic culture, political, economic and Islamic religious practice alive;
- Historical and contemporary study of Islamic movements;
- The impact of globalization, migration and diaspora on Islamic practice;
- Historical representation of Muslims in the media, and literature;
- Women and gender;
- Healing and treatment in Islam.
Dr. Abdulai Iddrisu
Guest Editor
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