A multifaceted Islam, which has its roots in trade, conquest, and the endeavors of Sufis who braved the frontiers of Islamic civilization to bring the blessings of their religious tradition to all of God’s people. African Islam was duly influenced by colonial and post-colonial politics, as well as having its roots in the tribal religions and cultures that adopted the faith.
Visit http://islamandafrica.com/

And the following link at http://spice.stanford.edu/docs/the_spread_of_islam_in_west_africa_containment_mixing_and_reform_from_the_eighth_to_the_twentieth_century/ (copy and paste these two links). This is a link to Stanford University.

Write a short essay (3-5 paragraphs) to discuss the following:

• Pick one of the topics that you can find under the CONTENT rubric on the islamandafrica.com link (there are many topics listed so I think you can find one thing that interests you.) If you can’t find the list I have listed it below as well.

• Mention the cultural influence that the shapes Islam in one African country (NOT North Africa) (who are the colonizers who bring Islam; who are the tribal peoples that adopt it…)

• Use the Stanford link to gain some background information concerning the cultural influences and delineate why you think that so many Africans converted to Islam.