Boko Haram in Nigeria, Al-Shabaab in Somalia: Islamist groups shape the image of Islam in Africa. There is a lot of warnings, that Islam in Africa is more conservative. Experts see the differentiated.
Again and again the same bad reports: In Somalia members of the Al-Shabaab militia from beat two alleged thieves in the right hands. In the capital of Mogadishu by three soldiers die trying to defuse a car bomb. In West Africa there are new fighting between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram, 13 Islamists die.
Islamist terror groups making headlines. Even if you are far more weakened than it was even a few years ago. “Groups that we describe as jihadis, are actually on the decline or have suffered serious military defeats,” says the göttingen anthropology Professor Roman Loimeier in the DW-Interview. Nevertheless, they still have the potential to commit attacks. Violent Islamists make up only a fraction of the Muslims in Africa, but they stand for a larger environment of radical currents in Islam.
In the Sahel, many of the tolerant interpretations of Islamic teachings. Only to find, not always of hearing.
Around 43 per cent of all Africans convert to Islam. The has long been regarded as tolerant to other religions. “Islam in West Africa has developed under the influence of African traditions are somewhat different than in the countries of the near and Middle East. It is characterized by tolerance, non-violence and problem-free handling of the religions to each other”, noted, for example, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, 2001.
Crises and poverty as an ideal breeding ground
And now? Since the 1990s, the anthropologist Abdoulaye Sounaye by the Leibniz-centre for Modern Oriental studies (ZMO), a significant growth of radical Islamic groups in Parts of Africa. “Radical Islam is the political, cultural, social, even in the economic life of major become,” says Sounaye of the DW. However, do not strive long, all the followers of conservative Islam to Power, or violence are prepared.
One reason for the rise of conservative and radical currents of The political and social crises in many African States. The wave of Democratisation after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, captured in the 1990s Africa. Long-time rulers and military dictators in a row gave in to the pressure for more democracy. However, many new democracies did not last long, corruption and mismanagement were rampant in many countries soon. The trust in the state.
Young people and women are Salafists a promising target group
In this gap, the Radical thrust. “Salafism is a revolutiönäre ideology, which can be for some social groups, such as young people or women attractive, which reject the state,” says Sounaye. In addition, the groups offer help, where the state failed. Sounaye speaks of the “prosperity gospel” of Salafist groups. “You have collected, for example, funds for all kinds of projects: schools, Koran schools, and clinics. These social services have given Salafist organizations in the Region a platform to be popular.”
This was also made possible with generous donations from wealthy Islamic States. Especially Saudi Arabia is called again and again. The Kingdom follows a strict Form of Islam called Wahhabism. The teaching is based on a particularly strict interpretation of the Koran. Through donations, the buildings, the financing of the Mosque, charitable institutions, or mass media, it is exported also to Africa.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports radical currents in Africa
“Islam in Africa is more diverse”
However, experts such as Roman Loimeier point to the fact that Islam in Africa is developing not only in this direction. “The Muslim societies and Islam in Africa South of the Sahara are many and varied,” he says. Long ago, other groups and movements are active, which are for a different type of Islam. “It gives a wide range of reform movements of the Sufi brother. You, for example, that the Belief is transparent, the women go to school,” says Loimeier. In addition, the Sufi brotherhoods looked at the fact that your social networks to help people.
Still, could be created in addition to Boko Haram, Ansar Dine, or Al-Shabaab, new jihadist groups, especially in authoritarian States. “In such countries, Islam as a message of Rebellion is, as a message of the oppressed to the side and unfairly Treated, a fantastic basis for the formulation of a radical program,” says göttingen-based anthropologist. He cites the example of Ethiopia. “The Regime has taken in recent years, a number of unfortunate missteps. Radical group and may not be able to get large support in the population if the situation improves.”