Revolution, Modernity and (Trans)National Shi'i Islam

Rethinking Religious Conversion in Senegal

Bibliographic Data

ID3933307
AuthorsMara A Leichtman (0000-0003-4002-320X, Michigan State University, corresponding author), Mara Leichtman (1Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University, 310 Baker Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)
Year2009
Volume39
Issue3
Pages319-351
Publication date2009-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Religion in Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4200 • E-ISSN: 1570-0666
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1163/157006609x461456
PMID23833329
PMCIDPMC3702183
OpenAlexW2046211978
LanguageEN
Citations received9

The establishment of a Shi'i Islamic network in Senegal is one alternative to following the country's dominant Sufi orders. I examine Senegalese conversion narratives and the central role played by the Iranian Revolution, contextualizing life stories (trans)nationally in Senegal's political economy and global networks with Iran and Lebanon. Converts localize foreign religious ideologies into a 'national' Islam through the discourse that Shi'i education can bring peace and economic development to Senegal. Senegalese Shi'a perceive that proselytizing, media technologies, and Muslim networking can lead to social, cultural and perhaps even political change through translating the Iranian Revolution into a non-violent reform movement

Anthropology of religion · Epistemology · History of religions · Islam · Modernity · Religious conversion · Sociology · Theology · African Studies and Geopolitics · Multiculturalism, Politics, Migration, Gender · Philosophy · Religion and Sociopolitical Dynamics in Nigeria · Religious studies