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IFG 7: Religious Diversity in Urban Africa

MIASA CC-BY-4.0: Poster IFG 7

MIASA’s seventh Interdisciplinary Fellow Group (IFG 7) examined African cities, which are not only fast-growing, but also sites of different religious practices. The group explored religious tensions within cities as well as how various religious groups create modes of coexistence.

Religious diversity beyond Christian and Muslim faith as well as African traditional religions

The IFG 7 conference was hold on 2-4 November 2022 at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi in collaboration with the Center for Cultural and African Studies (CeCASt). The conference demonstrated that religious diversity cannot be limited to Muslim vs Christian faith, but that there is more diversity to consider, including among Christians and Muslims, and that African traditional religious practices have to be taken into account.

Mobility and migration as driving forces for increasing religious diversity in cities

Moreover, Mobility and migration are driving forces for increasing religious diversity in cities. They contribute to the formation of minorities and majorities, but also overlap with other social, ethnic and gender identities, and they are often connected with trade and transnational relations.

Spaces, places and infrastructures of religous diversity

Control over space, place and infrastructures are at the centre of negotiating power relations between religious groups. This may result in conflict. However, the conference also showed how religious leaders and practitioners have shaped spaces of sociability, collaboration and respect.

Period: September to December 2022

Conveners: Dr. Yunus Dumbe & Dr. Mariama Zaami

Members: Dr. Issouf Binaté, Dr. Musa Ibrahim, Dr. Nadine Sieveking

IFG 5 published a joint MIASA Working Paper No 2023(1).

The initial idea for IFG 7 was conceived jointly by Dr. Benedikt Pontzen and Dr. Yunus Dumbe.


OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
teammiasa (January 24, 2024). IFG 7: Religious Diversity in Urban Africa. Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa - Blog. Retrieved March 26, 2025 from https://miasa.hypotheses.org/2065


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