Islamic Studies at the Asia Africa Institute, Hamburg University A Series of Online Presentations on Recent and ongoing research projects Tuesdays, 1 to 2 pm CET (30 minutes online presentation, 30 minutes Q&A (original) (raw)

Abstract Islamic Civilization Africa KLISC Conference Rev May 2016

Anyone acquainted with Africa's rich social history cannot deny the fact that Islam – as a dynamic religious tradition-has indeed been an integral part of its identity. In fact, it was Ali Mazrui, the Africanist, who powerfully described this dimension when he highlighted the continent's triple heritage (of which Christianity and African Religious Tradition also form a part). Though Khalid Diab, the Egyptian-Belgian journalist, significantly remarked that, " Islamic Civilization is so hard-wired into Europe's cultural, social and intellectual DNA that it would be impossible to expunge its influence " (Al-Jazeera 8 Jan 2015), one is of the view that Africa neatly fitted that profile since it – more than any other continent-tangibly reflect that. Indeed when one scans the length and breath of the continent, one comes across various types of evidence that points to the fact that Muslims left behind their footprints in almost every sector of the continent. These have since become part of Africa's continental heritage and most of them have fortunately been preserved by its numerous nation-states. For example, when traveling through central Africa one finds many scholarly manuscripts that have yet to be edited and that cover different themes. And when moving to East Africa's coastal regions one comes across numerous historical sites/towns such as Kilwa that are clearly reminiscent of Muslim influence. And as one travels further south of the continent, one finds ample proof that point to the Muslims' presence. All of these perceptibly demonstrate that one cannot sidestep the Muslim contribution to this continent's identity. So the purpose of this presentation is fivefold: the first is to conceptualize the term 'Islamic Civilization' that intends to act the essay's theoretical frame; the second is to briefly reflect upon the continent's social history south of the Sahara; the third is to comment on the rich Islamic manuscript collections and other heritage items that contributed towards the making of this civilization continentally; the fourth is to narrate in summarized form the status of Timbuktu as an educational centre; and the fifth is to tabulate the challenges that the continent currently faces in its attempt to preserve and protect its heritage items such as manuscripts from those who wish to destroy them.

Living Islamic History, Studies in Honour of Professor Carole Hillenbrand, Der Islam, Vol. 93 (2016)

Der Islam, 2016

The article is a review of Living Islamic History, Studies in Honour of Professor Carole Hillenbrand, ed. Yasir Suleiman, Edinburgh University Press, 2010. Recommended citation: Evstatiev, Simeon. (2016). Living Islamic History: Studies in Honour of Professor Carole Hillenbrand, ed. Yasir Suleiman. Der Islam, 93 (1), pp. 326-332.