TSI Project on “Engaging the Mosque, the Church, and the Academy in West Africa for Transformation of Society“

The Sanneh Institute is launching a three-year research project with funding from the Templeton Religion Trust (TRT) for the exploration of the pacifist tradition of Islam in West Africa. The project has four main targeted outputs: 

1. An inquiry into the pacifist tradition of West African Islam and biographical studies of leading historical and contemporary clerics of the tradition.  
2. Commission the collection and translation of works by leading clerics of the pacifist tradition in local languages (Ajami) and document their personal stories. 
3. Convene regional gatherings of Muslim and Christian scholars for the purpose of reviewing curricula, syllabi and textbooks in private Christian and Islamic schools and seminaries to enhance religious literacy. 
4. Develop a network of Muslim and Christian academics for an ongoing scholarly study of themes of mutual interest and concern within Islam and Christianity in Africa and to model what Sir John calls “constructive competition.”

Call for Ajami and Arabic Manuscripts on Islam and Peacebuilding in West Africa

The project will run from June 01, 2022, to May 31, 2025. For more information on the project, see the Project Background Paper as well as the Call for Proposals.