Africa studies

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For many years scholars, theorist and fundamentalist have debated on the idea of whether or not a democracy and Islam can coexist. To most Muslims within Islamic communities the meaning of Islam is seen as much more than just a religion but, also as culture and a way of life. Many Muslim are effected by the encroachment of modernism and development of multicultural societies within the Muslim world. This has caused some concerns with the fundamental values of the Islamic traditions and this has made it a perpetual enduring balancing act between the state and religion. Since the beginning of the European colonial rule, western influence has had a significant role in explanation of democracy within Africa. Senegal which is a country located on the coast of West Africa, has been a strong proponent of stability and democracy and it has been able to accomplishing the under the pretexts of being a predominately Muslim country.
All while going through some of the same difficulties that plagues the rest of the nation Senegal as be been a bastion of hope. This essay will take an internal look into the history of Senegal and how event before the nineteenth century shaped it into a democracy within an Islamic society.

The history of Islam in Senegal dates back to the 11 century when Muslim trader from the Tran-Saharan would come to Wagadugu (Empire of Ancient Ghana) trade with the Soninke who were the founders of Wagadugu. Wagadugu was located between Northern Senegal and Southern Mauritania, and was very rich in resources. The Soninke traded salt, copper, gold, ivory and sold slaves, in exchange for textiles, beads and finished goods. The power of empires wealth came from gold mines located near the upper Senegal River. The King of ...

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...ugh patience, submission, and compassion. The French were worried about Bamba’ growing influence that they exiled him twice from Senegal to Gabon, then to Mauritania. In exile Ahmdou Bamba followers can continued to grow as stories about his the French torturing him but not able to break his sprite spread throughout the country. As control for the colonies because increasly difficult and progress of the groundnut trade began to slow down. The French release Ahmdou Bamba realizing the using Marabout as intermediaries helped foster progression and grow within Senegal. By taking a look into Senegal’s history one can began to unravel and examine the many layers of culture within the country like language and ethnicity. The Murid brotherhood and its founder are a good example of how local traditions, beliefs and practices are infused with Islam in West African societies

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