‘Reversion’ to Islam: A study of racial and spiritual empowerment among African-American Muslims

Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Anthropology
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Open Access
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
African Americans have historically turned to Islam, and continue to do so, in larger numbers than other Americans. This project details the history of African-American Islam, and ethnographically explores contemporary attitudes of practicing black Sunni Muslims, in order to understand particular aspects of Islam that appeal to black Americans. This thesis focuses on the concept of “reversion” rather than “conversion,” as the choice to practice Islam is viewed by many black Muslims as a symbolic “return to roots” and reconnection to pre-slavery ties to Islam. I argue that this concept of reconnection, among other aspects of Sunni Islam, illustrates the religious empowerment that Islam has provided to African-American Muslims over and above other religions.
Description
Citation
Collections