Revolution, Modernity and (Trans)National Shi'i Islam: Rethinking Religious Conversion in Senegal

Abstract

The establishment of a Shi`i Islamic network in Senegal is one alternative to following the country's dominant Sufi orders. I examine Senegalese conversion narratives and the central role played by the Iranian Revolution, contextualizing life stories (trans)nationally in Senegal's political economy and global networks with Iran and Lebanon. Converts localize foreign religious ideologies into a ‘national’ Islam through the discourse that Shi`i education can bring peace and economic development to Senegal. Senegalese Shi`a perceive that proselytizing, media technologies, and Muslim networking can lead to social, cultural and perhaps even political change through translating the Iranian Revolution into a non-violent reform movement.

Conversion to Shi'ism in Indonesia

“…'The intellectual mode of conversion commences with an individual, private investigation of possible new grounds of being alternate theodicies, personal fulfillment, etc., by reading books, watching television, attending lectures, and other impersonal or disembodied ways in which it is increasingly possible sans social involvement to become acquainted with alternate ideologies and ways of life' (Lofland and Skonovd 1981: 376). Shi'i converts in Senegal demonstrate the same type of conversion (Leichtman 2008; and the same holds true for American and Canadian female conversion to Shi'ism. 'All but one of the respondents emphasized their intellectual acceptance of Shi'ism; they cited books that they had read and said they had chosen Shi'ism because it made sense' (Inloes and Takim 2014: 6).…”

Culture (Yorùbá) as a Means of De-Escalating Conflict and Maintaining Peace

“…(Senegal-n.a., 2009) To the Senegalese, teranga, (hospitality) is the key factor in mutual love and peace maintenance. There are also indications of the presence of a peaceful Shi'i Muslim group in Senegal, (Leichtman, 2009), utilizing the common Senegalese teranga virtue. To the Yorùbá, cultural and communal life expressed in the form of tolerance, respect, effective communication and brotherhood or family (bí) among the Yorùbá are relevant to their peacefulness.…”

Exporting the revolution to Africa: The Nigerian experience

“…Thus, is the export of revolution a proselytisation strategy adopted by Shia hardliners in Iran? 82 Or, is the doctrine behind this idea broader than simply, what we may call the "Shiatisation" of the region? 83 What is however clear over the recent years is that Iran has the unambiguous ambition to expand its influence and hegemony beyond its own territories.…”