Pride, Faith, and Fear: Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa [Hardcover]

Charlotte A. Quinn (Author), Frederick Quinn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2003

While nearly one in every five people in the world today is Muslim, Islam is spreading most rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where one in three Africans today practices a form of Islam. Sub-Saharan Africa is today home to over 150 million Muslims.
Although immensely varied, African Islam, the authors demonstrate, is defined by three overarching beliefs. First, African Islam is local Islam, with no ordained clergy or international body to regulate doctrine. At the same time, the importance of Islam as a source of communal identity, both within African societies and as part of the worldwide Islamic community, is a defining feature of the African Muslim worldview. Finally, there is a pervasive belief among African Muslims that the West is on a new crusade against Islam.
At a time of growing interest in the worldwide expansion of Islam, the Islamic revival in Africa deserves special attention. With in-depth coverage of Islam in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Pride, Faith, and Fear provides both a general overview of African Islam and a detailed picture of Muslim politics--which are increasingly national politics--in some of Africa's most populous regions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A book like this one is sorely needed. Short, easy to read, and insightful, Pride, Faith and Fear will appeal to a wide academic and popular audience including historians and political scientists, government analysts and journalists, Muslim and Christian leaders, and others."-- African Studies Review

"The Quinns' book is a remarkable accomplishment. They have achieved the nearly impossible in presenting a clear analysis of vital current issues combined with the necessary background in a compact and readable volume. Both of the Quinns have extensive experience in Africa and their discussion shows a direct familiarity with real people and concrete events. There simply is no other account of Islam in contemporary sub-Saharan Africa that provides the depth of understanding and the breadth of coverage found in this book."--John O. Voll, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding

"The late Charlotte A. Quinn and Frederick Quinn have produced a valuable and most accessible and timely entry into the subject of Islam on the African continent, a subject most often overwhelmed by the strong images of crisis in Africa and the most prevalent stereotypes of Islam circulating beyond Africa and outside Islam. Through a particular focus on the multiple and different facets of Islam's history and practice in five African countries, the Quinns provide an array of well thought through answers for audiences unfamiliar with diversity within Africa and diversity within Islam. The book, which traces the history of Islam on the continent in all its variations from its beginnings through to the post-9/11/2001 era, is a must for introductory courses on Africa and for courses on world religions. This work marks the culmination of a lifetime of distinguished research and writing on Africa and Islam."--David William Cohen, University of Michigan

About the Author

Dr. Charlotte A. Quinn was a former senior political analyst for the United States Government and author of Mandingo Kingdoms of the Senegambia. Dr. Frederick Quinn is an independent scholar and author of African Saints and Democracy at Dawn.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1St Edition edition (March 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195063864
• ISBN-13: 978-0195063868
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pride and Fear: Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa, April 5, 2003

By 

Alimoore (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pride, Faith, and Fear: Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa (Hardcover)

I just finished reading Pride and Fear. What a great read! It kept me captivated from front to back. I was interested to find out more about the religion of Islam and how it has come to have such an impact in all of our lives. This book has helped by showing how a number of African communities have integrated their religion into their political and daily attitudes. It was both accesible and informative. I have found a handful of books in the last couple of years that have helped expand my understanding of our global community and this is one of them.