We know that many people converted to Islam in colonial East Africa, but the why and how remain obscure. Recently, these Muslim congregations have come under scrutiny for producing Islamic radicals, but again the causes are poorly understood. This book traces the history of Muslim congregations in a mainland Tanzanian region from their inception in the early twentieth century to the early 2000s, using the records of governments and missions as well as hundreds of interviews. It argues that rural villagers became Muslim of their own initiative, in the pursuit of more equitable relations with Muslim townspeople and among themselves. The egalitarian ethos of these rural Muslims resonated with that of Tanzania's movement for independence, in which they strongly participated. The current conflicts among Muslims are rooted partly in their shifting and problematic relationship with successive post-independence governments, but also in the transitions in gender relations, education and ritual observance to which Islamization has contributed.
Reviews
This is a highly valuable book, which covers a lot of ground and is based on extensive archival research, including German colonial and missionary records. It also draws extensively on oral history - including about 300 interviews with local informants. * Preben Kaarsholm, Journal of Africa *
Becker gives a thorough and balanced analysis... This book is quite an achievement and will be a great resource for both students and academics alike in this field of study. * Naasiha Abrahams. *
Felicitas Becker gives us a balanced understanding of the rise of Islamic radicalism among the Tanzanian Muslim youth * Mohamed Bakari, Journal of Islamic Studies *
a very informative study which sheds light on both the cultural and historical factors that have informed teh spread of Islam in rural and urban locations in the region. * Abdullah Sahin, Muslim World Book Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780197264270
Author Felicitas Becker
Format Hardback
Page Count 390
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 756g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 161mm * 27mm