Toward an Islamic Cultural Archive: Building a Collaborative Database of Islamic Learning in Africa

Abstract

Abstract

The overarching aim of this project is the establishment of a dynamic archive of Islamic culture in Africa based on innovative digital working formats, developed together with mostly Africa-based cooperation partners. Other than conventional research projects dealing with Islamic learning and education, this project takes a collaborative and multi-sited approach to academic knowledge production. It is based on the idea of creating a space for joint knowledge production between cooperation partners from Germany and Africa. As we take an interdisciplinary and multi-sited approach, the diverse composition of our project team is key. The four-year funding period will serve to test and refine the research approach and digital tools through focusing on those aspects of Islamic culture that revolve around religious learning in the widest sense. For the purpose of this project, we conceive of learning as processes where teachings and practices pertaining to Islam are conveyed; these may be found in formal education, but extend to many other settings and contexts. In addition, given the interconnectedness of learning networks, we include data on religious organizations and networks. If successful, we envision a long-term perspective for the project beyond the first funding period and include other realms of Islamic culture in Africa.