Islamic Associations in Niger
- Title
- Islamic Associations in Niger
- list of authors
- Robert S. Glew
- Abstract
- 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.
- issue
- 10
- page start
- 187
- page end
- 204
- Date
- 1996
- Language
- Anglais
- Type
- Article de revue
- Subject
- association
- Spatial Coverage
-
Niger