Islam and Muslim Societies in the Contemporary Sahel

This chapter presents an overview of Islam and the Islamic landscape in the contemporary Sahel and points to broad patterns and major trends as they relate to the practice of Islam in the region. After discussing the conventional wisdom about Islam in Africa, in which Islam is frequently equated with Sufism and “reform,” this chapter addresses several interrelated themes: Islam and its broad appeal in the region; intra-Muslim debate; global interconnections and the media revolution; and Salafism and Islamism trends, as well as jihadism. As it suggests, the Islamic landscape in the Sahel is much more diverse and complex than most commentary usually suggests. It also underscores the importance of understanding how the practice of Islam in the region has been changing in recent years in an increasingly globalized world. Finally, the chapter emphasizes how much more there is to know about Islam and Muslim societies in this region in flux.