Convert for the Sake of Islam: Religion, Politics, Race and Nationalism in UAMSHO identity

• In Event: 2483 - Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 05. Global and Transnational Movements

Abstract

This paper set out to explore how specific aspects of globalization affect the growth and development of particular militant neo-fundamentalist social movements and in what ways globalization affect the resources and collective identity of these movements. To examine this, I conducted ethnographic and archival research and in-depth interviews with 40 activists in the UAMSHO (AWAKENING) group in Zanzibar, which is associated with the rise of violent activities since the first multiparty elections, held in 1995. Most of these activities have been associated with the UAMSHO (AWAKENING) group, that adheres to strict neo-fundamentalist views of Islam, and which calls for Zanzibar to secede from Tanzania, the union with the mainland. I explore the relationship between religion, politics, race and nationalism in this “new” Islamic organization in Zanzibar. While religion, politics, race and nationalism are interrelated in the construction of their identity, I find that their identity of religion, Islamic neo-fundamentalism, overshadows racial differences as they organize politically.

Author

• Deogratius Mshigeni, University of Nevada-Las Vegas