Islamic Associations in Niger

Titre

Islamic Associations in Niger

liste des auteurs

Robert S. Glew

Résumé

Until 1993 the government-approved Association islamique du Niger (AIN) was the sole Islamic association in Niger. However, with the transition to a democratically elected government came reforms in the areas of freedom of speech and expression. With this transition came the formation of the Association nigérienne pour l'appel et la solidarité islamiques (ANASI), the Association pour la diffusion de l'islam au Niger (ADINI), the Association pour le rayonnement de la culture islamique (ARCI) and the Association des jeunes musulmans du Niger (AJMN). From November 1994 to April 1995 the author conducted research on Islamic culture and practice in Zinder, the second largest city of Niger. The present article is based on the author's interviews with members of these associations in Zinder as well as on the associations' statutes. It outlines the philosophy, objectives, organization and resources for each association. The similarities in the objectives of these associations seem to contrast with the wide range of variation in Islamic culture and practice in Zinder. These associations, while each arguing for the oneness of their religion, also represent a major difficulty facing Muslims in the world today, which is the attempt to present a unified religion in the face of cultural variation in the way people interpret and practice Islam.

Journal

Islam et sociétés au sud du Sahara

numéro

10

première page

187

dernière page

204

Date

1996

Langue

Anglais

Type

Article de revue

Sujet

association

Identifiant

Q116295110

iwac-reference-0000170

Couverture spatiale

Niger