Workshop on Islamic Thought in Africa, 05/00

Workshop on Islamic Thought in Africa
Northwestern University
12-14 May 2000

Northwestern University is establishing an Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa within its Program of African Studies. The Institute is to be launched at a Workshop on Islamic Thought in Africa, to be held at Northwestern University 12 - 14 May 2000. The tentative program is as follows:

Friday 12 May 5 p.m. Keynote Address by John Hunwick: "Patterns of Islamic writing and networks of scholarship in Africa: an overview".

Saturday 13 May: Session 1: 9 a.m. - 12,30 p.m.

R.S. O'Fahey (University of Bergen): "Islamic writing in Arabic and African languages in eastern Africa"

Valerie Hoffman (University of Illinois): "Islamic writings of the Swahili coast".

Mohamed Mahmoud (Tufts University): "Islamic Thought in the Sudan". Session 2: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Suleymane Bachir Diagne (Cheikh Anta Diop University) : "The Senegalese contribution to Islamic Thought"

Muhammad Sani Umar (Arizona State University): "Islamic writing of Nigeria". Ruediger Seeseman (University of Bayreuth): "Sufi Thought in Sudanic Africa".

Sunday 14 May, 9 a.m. - 12, 30 p.m.

Roman Loimeier (University of Bayreuth): "Swimming against the tide:Muslim dissidents in Africa".

Commentary and overview by John Voll.

It is hoped we may also be able to have a presentation on Islamic thought in South Africa by Ebrahim Moussa. That will be confirmed later.

These presentations will be followed by general discussion by all present (including some scholars who have indicated that they will attend, but will not make specific presentations).

For information, contact:
John Hunwick <jhunwick@casbah.acns.nwu.edu>
Department of History,
Northwestern University,
Evanston, IL 60208
Tel.: (847) 491-7412
Fax: (847) 467-1393