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

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 Fearprovides 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.

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

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 undersl.