Ummah in Zomba: Transnational Influences on Reformist Muslims in Malawi

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the transnational aspects that have influenced ideological and organizational changes of Islam within Malawi. It is impossible to review these changes from an isolated position, like the national context. In order to truly understand the reasons and elements of change, the national situation of Islamic reformation in Malawi has to be placed within the context of worldwide Islamic reformation. Changes within the transnational arena have affected and influenced financial, social, political, ideological and cultural processes and organization in local situations. This paper presents an analysis of the Muslim community in Malawi beginning from a historical perspective working towards the economical, social and political situation of Muslims in Malawi today. It focuses on the transnational influences that have affected these changes in religious and social identification of a small group of reformist Muslims in Malawi.

INGO Behavior Change Projects: Culturalism and Teenage Pregnancies in Malawi

“…Close ties with Swahili trading partners and chiefs' fear of losing power after being defeated by British colonizers led to conversion to Islam in the late-nineteenth century (see Van Kol 2008). Madrassa (Islamic education) competed with Christian mission education, the latter being the blueprint for the current secular education system, and this historical disadvantage, Van Kol (2008) argues, has contributed to Yao's lower education levels. Since 1994, Islamic reformist organizations have attempted to improve the position of Muslims by providing scholarships, and have built secular and Islamic schools, and mosques.…”