Islamic literature and religious revival in Ethiopia (1991-1994)

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Periodical article

Title:	Islamic literature and religious revival in Ethiopia (1991-1994)
Author:	Ahmed, Hussein
Year:	1998
Periodical:	Islam et sociétés au Sud du Sahara
Issue:	12
Pages:	89-108
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ethiopia
Subjects:	Islam Islamic movements revival & reform
Abstract:	The production in Ethiopia since 1991 of a large corpus of Islamic literature written in Amharic, Arabic and other local vernaculars, comprising works of translation from Arabic and English, and original compilations as well as a variety of magazines and newspapers, is one manifestation of the Islamic resurgence and revival which has been taking place in the country since the downfall of the Derg regime. Based largely on documentary evidence, the present author discusses the subjects treated by, and issues raised in, a selected number of these publications, puts them in the context of the upsurge of Islamic revivalism, and assesses their role in raising the general consciousness of Ethiopian Muslims and in sensitizing them to the process of the overall transformation of Ethiopian society and polity. In a final section, the author takes issue with the use of the term 'fundamentalism' to describe the current process of transformation of the status and image of Islam in Ethiopia. Notes, ref.