What are the best books to read to learn about islam and. Up to 20 books are listed, in descending order of popularity at this site. Christianity and black slavery christian research institute. Islamic challenges in african christianity akintunde e. Burton invites readers to discover anew the relevance of the biblical narrative for african christians as well as scriptures influence on african christianity. Christianity, islam, not good for afrikans, is intended to free many africans from mental slavery, which can be hugely blamed on the restriction christianity and islam have imposed. Along the coast of africa islam spread among the berbers, who joined the muslim. The success of christianity and islam on the african continent in the last 100 years has been extraordinary, but it has been, unfortunately, at the expense of african indigenous religions. In her booklength study of the history of christianity and the. Christianity, islam, and judaism are three of the most influential world religions in history. In the 7th century christianity retreated under the advance of islam. Any serious consideration of traditional african religion focused primarily on ancient egypt, which many scholars intellectually removed from the rest of africa. Forbes magazine the lost history of christianity by philip jenkins offers a revolutionary view of the history of the christian church. Incorporating the journal sudanic africa, islamic africa publishes original research concerning islam in africa from the social sciences and the humanities, as well as primary source material and commentary essays related to islamic studies in africa.
Thesis africa has played a decisive role in the formation of christian culture from its infancy. Christian and islamic forces fought to eliminate the unnatural damnation and left behind a trail of homophobia sat 8 mar 2014 06. Her book the tenth parallel is a fascinating journey along the latitude line in africa and asia where christianity and islam often meet and clash. Islam and christianity in subsaharan africa pew research center. Islam and christianity christianity came first to the continent of africa in the 1st or early 2nd century ad.
Pentecostalism, globalisation, and islam in northern cameroon. The spread of islam in africa began in the 7th and 8th cent. Islam has remained largely confined to the sahara and the northern mediterranean coast. This also led to the misconception that has persisted even up to the present day that christianity is the white mans religion, and that the spread of christianity in africa is the exclusive result of modern european missionary work. The spread of the faith in africa represents perhaps the most dramatic advance in all christian history, and yet the names and stories of persons chiefly responsible are largely unknown. While the survey finds that both christianity and islam are flourishing in subsaharan africa, the results suggest that neither faith may expand as rapidly in this region in the years ahead as it did in the 20th century, except possibly through natural population growth. The business of marketing the bible and the koran says a lot about the state of modern christianity and islam. The literature on african christianity is huge and often characterized by diverse colonial and religious perspectives and biases, requiring one to read it critically. Unlike christianity, islam is not a just a religion or a mass of doctrines or beliefs and rituals, but rather a complete way of life or civilization. It was the long, drawnout confrontation of the seventh century c. However, in the 600s and 700s, the islamic conquest of christian territory throughout the near east, africa, spain, and mediterranean islands reintroduced slavery where christianity had eradicated it. Christianity, islam, not good for afrikans, is intended to free many africans from mental slavery, which can be hugely blamed on the restriction christianity and islam have imposed on the people of the beautiful continent called afrika.
Subtitled the thousandyear golden age of the church in the middle east, africa, and asia and how it died, it explores the extinction of the earliest, most influential christian churches of china, india. Muslims crossed current djibouti and somalia to seek refuge in presentday eritrea and ethiopia during the hijrah arabic. The spread of islam in ancient africa ancient history. This excellent book provides the best account of the dynamics of muslim christian relations in west african society available to us. Oct 09, 2017 islam in africa started at along the east african coast some time in the 8th century due to the intercultural relations between the people on the east coast and traders from the persian gulf and oman. It shows how critical reason and christian convictions have combined in surprising ways as african christians confront issues such as national constitutions, gender relations, and the continuing. Introduction of islam in africa contributed by prof.
List of books and articles about islam in africa online. The berbers were early converts to islam and islam spread along those preexisting trade routes between north and west africa. This invigorating work places the story of the bible and african christianity in a wider global context and challenges readers to think differently about history and the biblical world. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. That testifies to the enduring power of indigenous religion and its ability to domesticate christianity and islam in modern africa. The future of christianity in subsaharan africa, mercy amba oduyoye about the author kenneth ross is professor of theology at zomba theological college, malawi, theological educator africa with the church of scotland and associate minister at bemvu parish, church of central africa presbyterian. Nazeer ahmed, phd africa, alone among the continents, has a majority muslim population. He then chronicles the african presence in the church from the new testament onward, paying particular attention to the growth of islam in africa as well as the impact of european colonialism and the slave trade. Decisive intellectual achievements of christianity were explored and understood first in africa before they were recognized in europe, and a millennium before modern north america. Aug 14, 20 this book is a collection of the papers presented by 22 of the delegates forming a historical survey and thematic assessment of the african christian and islam. Important africans who influenced the early development of christianity include tertullian, perpetua, felicity, clement of alexandria, origen of alexandria, cyprian, athanasius and augustine of hippo. The history of the islamic faith on the continent of africa spans fourteen centuries. The african christian and islam demysti es the mutual ignorance that is often common amongst african christians and muslims, thus building a vital bridge towards interreligious epistemology.
Judaism, christianity, and islam as societies become larger and more complex, its people become more likely to join monotheistic religions. Drawing from research conducted in nigeria, senegal, and uganda, christianity, islam, and liberal democracy offers a deeper understanding of how christian and islamic faith communities affect the political attitudes of those who belong to them and, in turn, prospects for liberal democracy. Actually there are lots of book concerning the topic. Islam in africa has its roots in the origins of the faith, as ethiopia was a refuge for muslims who fled arabia during the time of islam s prophet muhammad b. Islam in africa has to varying degrees incorporated tribal and pre islamic practices, and the muslims of africa have accepted claims of several selfproclaimed mahdis. Chapter five islamic challenges in african christianity. The explosion of christianity in africa in the twentieth century, christianity in africa exploded from an estimated population of eight or nine million in 1900 8 to 9% to some 335 million in 2000 45%, marking a shift in the center of gravity of christianity from the west to latin america, parts of asia and africa. Compare christianity, islam and judaism religionfacts. While earlier studies of christianity in africa focused on the roles of european missions and missionaries in establishing christianity in africa, historians now tend to stress the roles of african converts, catechists, translators, and evangelists in interpreting christianity, spreading it to their neighbors, and establishing new christian movements and churches that are as. Aug, 2012 in conclusion, the unbiased africa report titled religion in africa. Islam in africa, the development of the muslim religion on the african continent. Here, in the buzzing megacities and swarming jungles of africa and asia. African religion and its influence on christianity and islam traditional african religion has been the basis of spirituality for the people of africa. Christianity in africa shows tremendous variety, from the ancient forms of oriental orthodox christianity in egypt, ethiopia, and eritrea to the newest african christian denominations of nigeria, a country that has experienced large conversion to christianity in recent times.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Before islam and christianity arrived in africa, people here believed in deities being close in gods who resided in trees or rivers and helped or hurt locals daily, explains kamaldeen balogun. Buy the african christian and islam by john azumah, lamin sanneh isbn. Apr 28, 2010 at the turn of the 20th century, christianity was virtually nonexistent in many parts of africa but is now the faith of the majority. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. For the first time in a single volume, the history of islam in africa presents a detailed historic mapping of the cultural, political, geographic, and religious past of this significant presence on a continentwide scale.
While many analysts believe that religious diversity in developing countries is an impediment to liberal. Almost oneeighth of the worlds muslim population resides in the continent. Nigeria is africas most populous country, and its 140 million people are evenly divided between the muslim north and the christian south. By the end of the 2nd century it had reached the region around carthage.
It is perhaps worth noting at the start that the spread of islam in africa was much more than the passing on and adoption of religious ideas. About christianity and islam in dialogues concerning jesus christ the messiah by shabir ally the similarities jesus is one of the greatest persons ever to have walked the earth. The history of christianity in africa probably began during the earthly ministry of jesus christ, two thousand years ago. The tenth parallel and millions of other books are available for instant. For more on african religions, see the related oxford bibliographies articles on african traditional religion and islam in africa. This leads many to solely identify christianity with europe. Encountering islam and christianity in subsaharan africa sav. Introduction the center for early african christianity. The three most influential monotheistic religions in world history are judaism, christianity, and islam, all of which began in the middle east. Those are a few of the books id suggest checking out. He was professor emeritus of anthropology and sociology at the school of oriental and african. They were the largest ethnic group trafficked in the. It is possible that the history of christianity in africa began when these africans shared what they witnessed with other africans.
In africa, islam and christianity are growing and blending. While judaism isnt as large as christianity and islam, its impact on the world has still been as profound. Jan 26, 2006 before islam and christianity arrived in africa, people here believed in deities being close in gods who resided in trees or rivers and helped or hurt locals daily, explains kamaldeen balogun. In conclusion, the unbiased africa report titled religion in africa. Ancient african christianity is therefore significant because it is a onestopshop in engaging important issues and current scholarship dealing with ancient north african christianity. In addition, key information on the introduction, spread and engagement of islam and christianity within 9 african countries is presented. Africa was the first continent into which islam spread from southwest asia, during the early 100th century ce.
The history of islam in africa ohio university press. It was home to its greatest historian, ibn khaldun and the birthplace of its bestknown traveler, ibn batuta. African christianity african studies oxford bibliographies. Id like to talk to you about the effects of islam upon christianity. As the unesco general history of africa summarises, unlike many other faiths.
They used african spirituality books to teach me the truth about the african origins of christianity, judaism, and islam. Both christianity and islam in africa can be seen as african religions that. Islam has gained more converts in africa than has christianity, which labors under the burden of identification with european imperialism. The latter part of the book studies globally the 500 years of the middle period of islamic history and its politics, islam in modern times, and concludes with a historical profile of islam in nigeria from its inception in the eleventh century until the present.
This is a subject that if you go to a seminary or any other school, you wont be taught anything about, but it turns out that islam has shaped christianity in ways that very few people suspect or know. How christianity is the white mans religion feeds the. The author is a historian at the univerity of nigeria and a cultural christian. Subsaharan africa now is home to about oneinfive of all the christians in the world 21% and more than oneinseven of the worlds muslims 15%. Although christianity and islam have added distinct elements to african religions, each has been and continued to be adapted to and shaped by. Ive collect some good books which some direct links, in case you need to read them online. The edited book provides a complex historiography of africas religious tapestry, underscoring its robustness, spiritual and confessional variegatedness and unity, but also mutual. Just as africa may well be the worlds most religious continent, it may also be the one where the religions are most mixed. Akinade introduction the legacy of christian muslim encounter in africa is well established and thoroughly documented. Christianity and public culture in africa takes readers beyond familiar images of religious politicians and populations steeped in spirituality. With strong cultural ties between roman judea israel and the grecoroman egypt a large jewish population lived in alexandria, egypt, mark the evangelist established a church in alexandria as early as 43 ce. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Christianity in africa christianity has existed in africa arguably since a decade after the death of jesus of nazareth.
An introduction to the religion and history of islam. Islam holds him to be gods messiah, prophet, and righteous servant. The impact of islam on christianity political islam. As societies become larger and more complex, its people become more likely to join monotheistic religions.
Peel 19412015 died shortly before this book went to press. Oral tradition says the first muslims appeared while the prophet mohammed was. Thanks to them and the books they suggested to me, i have found my way into the blessings of my creator. Patterns of christianmuslim encounters in subsaharan africa brill. The first converts in mali were traders who benefited from having a religious as well as a commercial connection to their. Such information is often considered to be stored in sacred or revered texts, so what are the holy books of the five major world religions. How can one get to grips with a subject as huge as the history of christianity, a 2000 yearold religion with adherents in every corner of the globe. Nevertheless, the bulk of africa has been converted to christianity and not islam, mostly in the subsahara. One problem the book raises, however, is that of attributing unique identities to ancient north african christianity. Given the overemphasis placed on arab history as the totality of islamic history, it would be in the best interest of western historians to assess anew the history of islam in africa, and for muslims to reengage the heritage and reawaken the vitality of islam in africa. Christianity vs islam difference and comparison diffen. Brills islam in africa is designed to present the results of scholarly research into the many aspects of the history and. The idea that african homosexuality was a colonial import.
Christianity has existed in africa arguably since a decade after the death of jesus of nazareth. The book series studies of religion in africa covers the historical, empirical, and analytical. Apr 03, 2017 the islamic jesus seeks commonalities between christianity, judaism, islam turkish journalist mustafa akyol presses his case about just how relevant jesus is to his faith today. Books exploring the relationship between christianity and islam. Sep 21, 2017 current status of christianity in africa. Islam in africa african studies oxford bibliographies. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. The history of islam in africa facts about the muslims. African religion and its influence on christianity and. African religion customs before christianity synonym. The best books on the history of christianity five books.
Compare and contrast spread of islam and spread of. The new testament of the bible mentions several events in which africans were witnesses to the life of christ and the ministry of the apostles. List of books and articles about christianity in africa. Muslim conquests following muhammads death led to the creation of the caliphates, occupying a vast geographical area. Africa gave the islamic world its first muezzin, bilal ibn rabah. She says, if you want to get a firstperson take on what its like to live in a muslim world and understand the worldview underpinning the militant islamic world, and the passages used to support, this book will help. Mar 04, 2015 my wife found this book particularly helpful. While subsaharan africa has almost twice as many christians as muslims, on the african continent as a whole. During the middle ages, there was little slavery in christian lands.
Religious elements have been present in many of africa s con. About isalm my journey to islam laila bigelli muhammad in the mirror of islam william c. For decades people thought of african religious life only from the perspective of its relationship to christianity or islam. The islamic jesus seeks commonalities between christianity.
The gospel of luke records that a cyrenian was compelled to bear the cross for jesus, prior to jesus crucifixion. Different societies in africa have generally appropriated islam in both more inclusive ways, or in the more radical ways, as with the almoravid movement in the maghreb and sahara. During muhammads lifetime a group of muslims escaped meccan persecution. There has been a notable growth in the population of christians residing in africa while on the other hand observance of traditional african religions has been on a decline. In 1900, nine million christians lived in africa compared to the 380 million in 2000. The popular and distinguished oxford historian, diarmaid macculloch, recommends books that will help you make a start. This book is a collection of the papers presented by 22 of the delegates forming a historical survey and thematic assessment of the african christian and islam.
Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. With strong cultural ties between roman judea israel and the grecoroman egypt a large jewish population lived in alexandria, egypt, mark the evangelist established a church in. Islam in africa is often adapted to local cultural contexts and belief systems, thereby forming the continents own orthodoxies. List of books and articles about islam in africa online research. Christianity in africa began in egypt in the middle of the 1st century. And they were patient enough with me to let me find my own path as i explored kemetic science, santeria, and ifa. But it remained the chosen religion of the ethiopian empire and persisted in pockets in north africa. Islam had a great impact on the people and states of western sudan and for that matter west africa in general. Christianity in subsaharan africa edinburgh university. Africa, along with latin america, has taken on a much larger role in contemporary christian politics and activism.
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