Conference on Islam in Africa

Abstract

Academic studies regarding "Islam in Africa" have increased at a rapidpace over the past few years. In the 1960s, works of Trimingham and Lewiswere among the few which dealt with the subject. Towards the end of the1990s, one could select from a number of works; for example, one had achoice between Westurland and Brenner, Fischer and Stewart, Levtzion andMazrui and others. This reflects to what extent the African continent and,in particular, Islam has attracted the attention of scholars who represent avariety of disciplines.A similar group of scholars participated in the conference sponsored bythe Institute of Global Cultural Studies, Binghamton University SUNY, NYon "Islam in Africa" from April 19-22, 2001. This report reflects the overallprogram adopted by the conference and mentions some of the paperspresented.The conference began on Thursday, April 19, 2001. During the two hoursRene Laremont, the deputy director of the Institute, chaired the two publicpresentations by John Esposito and Ali Mazrui, respectively. Esposito's topicfor that evening was "Islam in a Global Perspective: A Wider View" andMazrui's was "Islam and Cultural Globalization in Africa." Esposito coveredseveral issues. He started his presentation with autobiographical notes abouthow he got involved with Islam and Muslims. He then examined the developmentoflslamic resurgence movements; highlighted global perceptions ofMuslims and Islam; tackled the issue of the supposed Islamic "threat";responded to Huntington's Clash of Civilizations (Foreign Affairs 1993, andNY 1996); and reflected - in passing - upon Pipes' harmful articles andNewsweek's negative reports. He concluded with comments on the twinprocesses of"lslamization" and "kafirization" and briefly explained how theyimpacted upon the concepts of democracy, pluralism, and minorities.In Ali Mazrui's presentation, two types of globalization were pointedout: economic and cultural. The first type has deepened the divisions and ...