Table of Contents

Part I. Historical and Theoretical Perspectives on Muslim Politics
Chapter 1: Diversity of Muslim Politics
Chapter 2: History of Muslim Politics in Northern Nigeria and Senegal
Part II. Social Structure, Muslim Organizations and Politics
Chapter 3: Nigerian Socio-Political Structure and Muslim Politics in Northern Nigeria
Chapter 4: The Social Structure, Muslim Brotherhoods and Politics in Senegal
Part III. The State, Political Institutions and Muslim Politics
Chapter 5: The Weak State and Muslim Politics in Nigeria
Chapter 6: Strong State and Management of Muslim Politics in Senegal
Chapter 7: Explaining the Diversity of Muslim Politics

About the Author

Sakah Saidu Mahmud is associate professor of Political Science and the Head of the Department of Social Sciences and Global Studies at Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Nigeria. His writings on politics of religion (Islam) include contributions to the Choice award-winning, Democracy and Religion: Free Exercise and Diverse Vision, (2004), and The Borders of Islam: Exploring Samuel Huntington’s Faultlines, from Al-Andalus to the Virtual Ummah (2009).

Reviews

This rare book exemplifies the best in comparative politico-religious analyses to capture differences in violent and pacifist Muslim (Sufi) responses, as tools to negotiate space(s) and resources in Northern Nigeria and Senegal, respectively. Professor Mahmud ably traces these contrasting Muslim experiences to historical junctures— colonial policies and outcomes, leadership, organizational structures of Sufi Brotherhoods, as well as the role of post-colonial states. It is a carefully researched and eloquently written book that reminds us of Islam's non-violent Jihadist tradition — an aspect of Islam too often forgotten or ignored in pursuit of the Global War on Terror.
*Abdoulaye Saine, Miami University*

The author must be praised for producing the first comparative study of two important West African Muslim societies.
*Ousmane Kane, Harvard University*