Papers by Abdulai Iddrisu
Ghana Studies, Dec 31, 2021
ABSTRACT: This article interrogates the long history of continued Islamic renewal
in the north o... more ABSTRACT: This article interrogates the long history of continued Islamic renewal
in the north of Ghana that privileges continuous reinterpretation of the Islamic
ideal. It contextualizes three approaches at renewal: (a) the non-pacifist approach
of Mahdi Musa, and (b) the pacifist jihad of al-Hajj Umar Abi Bakr of Kete-Krachi
(1850–1934), both of which anticipated (c) the activities of Afa Ajura from the
1950s. But then, as significant as Alhaji Yusuf Soalihu Afa Ajura is in the dynamics
of religious change in mid-twentieth-century Ghana, research on Afa Ajura is still
embryonic. The article thus examines the poems of Afa Ajura (recently made
available) and his da’wa activities in contesting Niasse Tijaniyya, the maltreatment
of women, and his insistence on the common good, the sum of which often led
to open conflagrations and turned Afa Ajura into a religious phenomenon. The
poems represent as much of Afa Ajura’s patterns of thought as those of his follow-
ers and serve as a vehicle for popularizing their worldview. The paper concludes
that the claim to legitimacy at the level of the faithful is not restricted to abusive
denunciations but an interplay of social and political sensibilities.
Journal for Islamic Studies, 2009
The coveted position enjoyed by Mallams in colonial Ghana due to their pioneering acquisition of ... more The coveted position enjoyed by Mallams in colonial Ghana due to their pioneering acquisition of literacy and the mystical use to which they had put the Holy QurOan was to witness a tremendous challenge with the increasing European presence and the introduction of secular education. They had served as advisers and administrators to Kings and chiefs in times of war and in peace, provided medicinal services, and even with the increasing demand for literates in the immediate years following colonization they again proved useful. The paper concludes that effective colonization presented two basic challenges to the Mallam Intelligentsia which greatly altered their significance. First with the emergence of secular literacy they were replaced as advisers and, second, the appearance of more powerful weapons put the Talismatic tradition into question.
Religions
In this special issue on justice, ethics, and philosophy of religion, let us consider a historica... more In this special issue on justice, ethics, and philosophy of religion, let us consider a historical case study. The trade of slaves across the Atlantic lasted 400 years and led to the forcible removal of about 12.5 million people from Africa, south of the Sahara. This paper examines the African slave trade in light of the notion that evil of whatever form is a menace to our very existence and a rupture of the very essence of hope. It will focus on the nature, development, and growth of the African/European Slave Trade, as it interrogates issues such as: if evil is coterminous with human cruelty, then the slave trade was the apogee of human evil and avarice; the notion of slavers saving the enslaved from themselves; and providing an avenue for conversion into Abrahamic religions. The essay will also be interested in how slavers—European and Africans alike—rationalized slavery and how the enslaved and onlookers responded to the spectacle of enslavement.
Religions , 2023
In this special issue on justice, ethics, and philosophy of religion, let us consider a historica... more In this special issue on justice, ethics, and philosophy of religion, let us consider a historical case study. The trade of slaves across the Atlantic lasted 400 years and led to the forcible removal of about 12.5 million people from Africa, south of the Sahara. This paper examines the African slave trade in light of the notion that evil of whatever form is a menace to our very existence and a rupture of the very essence of hope. It will focus on the nature, development, and growth of the African/European Slave Trade, as it interrogates issues such as: if evil is coterminous with human cruelty, then the slave trade was the apogee of human evil and avarice; the notion of slavers saving the enslaved from themselves; and providing an avenue for conversion into Abrahamic religions. The essay will also be interested in how slavers—European and Africans alike—rationalized slavery and how the enslaved and onlookers responded to the spectacle of enslavement.
Ghana Studies, 2021
ABSTRACT:This article interrogates the long history of continued Islamic renewal in the north of ... more ABSTRACT:This article interrogates the long history of continued Islamic renewal in the north of Ghana that privileges continuous reinterpretation of the Islamic ideal. It contextualizes three approaches at renewal: (a) the non-pacifist approach of Mahdi Musa, and (b) the pacifist jihad of al-Hajj Umar Abi Bakr of Kete-Krachi (1850–1934), both of which anticipated (c) the activities of Afa Ajura from the 1950s. But then, as significant as Alhaji Yusuf Soalihu Afa Ajura is in the dynamics of religious change in mid-twentieth-century Ghana, research on Afa Ajura is still embryonic. The article thus examines the poems of Afa Ajura (recently made available) and his da'wa activities in contesting Niasse Tijaniyya, the maltreatment of women, and his insistence on the common good, the sum of which often led to open conflagrations and turned Afa Ajura into a religious phenomenon. The poems represent as much of Afa Ajura's patterns of thought as those of his followers and serve as a vehicle for popularizing their worldview. The paper concludes that the claim to legitimacy at the level of the faithful is not restricted to abusive denunciations but an interplay of social and political sensibilities.
Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue canadienne des études africaines
Abstract This article examines the historical distaste for secular education within the Muslim co... more Abstract This article examines the historical distaste for secular education within the Muslim communities of Ghana and the growing enthusiasm of Ghana’s Ministry of Education in transforming Qur’anic schools to integrate secular subjects. The popularity of the Qur’anic schools has remained as places—either under trees, at courtyards, or at street corners—where pupils simply recited the Qur’an, relevant only because it is fundamentally religious. The article argues that the contemporary philosophical foundations of Islamic education ought to be based upon the provision of Islamic learning that ensures not only taqwa or the fear of Allah but also renders students’ faith unshakeable for the modernization efforts of incorporating technical and scientific learning at the Qur’anic schools to become acceptable. The article concludes that the recent structural and pedagogical changes taking place at the Makaranta or recitation schools go beyond philosophical reconciliations to harnessing the combined benefits of Islamic and secular education for the good of the nation.
History in Africa, 2000
This department, which was until December, 1997 known as the National Archives of Ghana, takes ca... more This department, which was until December, 1997 known as the National Archives of Ghana, takes care of documents from northern Ghana, and has served both local and international researchers since its establishment in 1960. The Ghana Public Records and Archives Administration department in Tamale has had quite a number of visiting researchers, but there are few descriptive guide for users. This paper is intended to serve as an introductory guide in this respect.Between 1950 and 1954, the Gold Coast Archivist undertook a survey of District records in the various district headquarters of what was then the Gold Coast Colony, Ashanti, and the Northern Territories. This led to the establishment of the National Archives of Ghana, offices at Kumasi on 3 August 1959. This was intended first to serve the Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, and Northern Ghana areas. The office was housed on the premises of the Government Agent's office at Kumase. When the Tamale office was opened, it was also housed on ...
Journal of the Institute of Education
Africa Development, 2005
This paper examines the growth of Islamic learning in northern Ghana and its interaction with wes... more This paper examines the growth of Islamic learning in northern Ghana and its interaction with western secular education. It argues that colonial policies and practice had far-reaching implications for Islamic learning, stifling attempts at growth,
and suggests that the contemporary situation about Islamic learning in Ghana
cannot be properly understood without an appreciation of the historical forces that
have helped fashion this system of learning. It concludes that there is a need for a
meaningful and sustainable interaction between Islamic and Western secular education, especially in the era of decentralization and increased demand for new competence at local levels.
Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 2002
... 336 Abdulai Iddrisu ... This could be seen in the refusal of one of the most important and le... more ... 336 Abdulai Iddrisu ... This could be seen in the refusal of one of the most important and learned mallams, Mallam Baba Mai-Suna, the son of the illustrious Mallam Al-Hassan, to attend any of Mr Nazir's meetings.9 This no doubt affected the outcome of Mr Nazir's enterprise. ...
This dissertation interrogates religious conflict in one West African country--Ghana-- between 19... more This dissertation interrogates religious conflict in one West African country--Ghana-- between 1920 and 2005, by examining the educational initiatives of the "returnee" ulama and their role in the configuration of Muslim identity in northern Ghana. The "returnees" ulama benefited ...
The Encyclopedia of Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of African Religion by Abdulai Iddrisu
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Papers by Abdulai Iddrisu
in the north of Ghana that privileges continuous reinterpretation of the Islamic
ideal. It contextualizes three approaches at renewal: (a) the non-pacifist approach
of Mahdi Musa, and (b) the pacifist jihad of al-Hajj Umar Abi Bakr of Kete-Krachi
(1850–1934), both of which anticipated (c) the activities of Afa Ajura from the
1950s. But then, as significant as Alhaji Yusuf Soalihu Afa Ajura is in the dynamics
of religious change in mid-twentieth-century Ghana, research on Afa Ajura is still
embryonic. The article thus examines the poems of Afa Ajura (recently made
available) and his da’wa activities in contesting Niasse Tijaniyya, the maltreatment
of women, and his insistence on the common good, the sum of which often led
to open conflagrations and turned Afa Ajura into a religious phenomenon. The
poems represent as much of Afa Ajura’s patterns of thought as those of his follow-
ers and serve as a vehicle for popularizing their worldview. The paper concludes
that the claim to legitimacy at the level of the faithful is not restricted to abusive
denunciations but an interplay of social and political sensibilities.
and suggests that the contemporary situation about Islamic learning in Ghana
cannot be properly understood without an appreciation of the historical forces that
have helped fashion this system of learning. It concludes that there is a need for a
meaningful and sustainable interaction between Islamic and Western secular education, especially in the era of decentralization and increased demand for new competence at local levels.
Philosophy of African Religion by Abdulai Iddrisu
in the north of Ghana that privileges continuous reinterpretation of the Islamic
ideal. It contextualizes three approaches at renewal: (a) the non-pacifist approach
of Mahdi Musa, and (b) the pacifist jihad of al-Hajj Umar Abi Bakr of Kete-Krachi
(1850–1934), both of which anticipated (c) the activities of Afa Ajura from the
1950s. But then, as significant as Alhaji Yusuf Soalihu Afa Ajura is in the dynamics
of religious change in mid-twentieth-century Ghana, research on Afa Ajura is still
embryonic. The article thus examines the poems of Afa Ajura (recently made
available) and his da’wa activities in contesting Niasse Tijaniyya, the maltreatment
of women, and his insistence on the common good, the sum of which often led
to open conflagrations and turned Afa Ajura into a religious phenomenon. The
poems represent as much of Afa Ajura’s patterns of thought as those of his follow-
ers and serve as a vehicle for popularizing their worldview. The paper concludes
that the claim to legitimacy at the level of the faithful is not restricted to abusive
denunciations but an interplay of social and political sensibilities.
and suggests that the contemporary situation about Islamic learning in Ghana
cannot be properly understood without an appreciation of the historical forces that
have helped fashion this system of learning. It concludes that there is a need for a
meaningful and sustainable interaction between Islamic and Western secular education, especially in the era of decentralization and increased demand for new competence at local levels.