Islam in Africa

Islam and language activism

The politics of Qur'an translation

Around the world, the Qur'an is being translated into marginalised languages, reflecting a global trend toward preserving cultural heritage. These translations often serve political goals, but can also save endangered languages from extinction.
Ramadan: Muslim holy month in pictures

Muslims all over the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan with religious services, charity, fasting and evening festivities
The ancient archives of Chinguetti

In northwestern Mauritania lies Chinguetti, a historic trading post and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city still has several libraries with Arabic manuscripts – many of them from the late Middle Ages.
Construction and infrastructure

Turkey supplants China in East Africa

Uganda is abandoning its Chinese partners and turning to Turkey to build a new railway line that will connect to neighbouring Kenya. East Africa is keen on improving its railway network as part of a pan-African project. By Philipp Sandner, Emmanuel Lubega & Burak Unveren
The Netherlands apologises for slavery

A dark period in Dutch history and its modern legacy

The government in the Netherlands, one of the last European nations to abolish slavery, has made an historic apology. But some feel that there is still a long way to go. By Ella Joyner
Sufism in Morocco

A cure for extremism?

Morocco's Sufi traditions go back centuries. Now King Mohammed VI is trying to use them to combat extremism. His programme of reforms includes the promotion of Sufi movements and moderate Islamic thinkers. By Marian Brehmer
Millions of faithful make pilgrimage to Senegal
Millions of faithful make pilgrimage to Senegal

Each year, millions of Muslims set out on a pilgrimage to Touba, in central Senegal. The annual event even surpasses the number of faithful who undertake the traditional hajj to Saudi Arabia. By Rene Wilbrandt
Nobel winner Abdulrazak Gurnah

"It's good to make right-wingers cry"

Abdulrazak Gurnah, the British-Tanzanian Nobel-winning writer, has spent a lifetime confronting colonialism and racial politics – and welcomes a new generation keeping these issues alive
Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin’s "The Messiah of Darfur"

A peacemaker in times of war

In his multi-layered novel, Sudanese author Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin tells the incredible story of a charismatic "prophet" rallying followers in Darfur, a region devastated by bloody civil war. It is a moving tale of war and love, revenge and hope. Volker Kaminski read the book
Abdulrazak Gurnah and Tsitsi Dangarembga

Can the Nobel Prize "revitalise" African literature?

Abdulrazak Gurnah is the fourth author from sub-Saharan Africa to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. Is the tide turning for African writers? By Annabelle Steffes-Halmer
Religions for Peace conference in Lindau

Fighting hate speech, climate change and COVID-19 together

Religions are often a source of conflict. But the worldwide Religions for Peace movement seeks to change that by galvanising interreligious dialogue. Delegates from 90 countries are meeting this week in Germany. The involvement and commitment of young women at this year's conference is striking. By Christoph Strack