Women and Islamic Revival in a West African Town

In class we are reading Women and Islamic Revival in a West African Town. It talks about a preacher named Malam Awal who comes to the town of Dogondoutchi in Niger and stirs things up at the same time that a movement called Izala becomes popular. Malam Awal and proponents of Izala have completely different perspectives on what it means to be a muslim, and both manage to make people question their identities as muslims. Malam Awal has a much more tolerant point of view, whereas Izala is very, very strict about people's religious practices. It is a fascinating dichotomy for the people of Dogondutchi. For women, especially, it's quite troubling while they must question whether they go to hell for not always wearing their hijabs or for skpping a pryer so that they will have time to cook dinner for their family. Furthermore I think it's really interesting to see different approaches to Islam- too often Islam is potrayed as very, very strict and always harsh when compared to other religions that have more easily visible levels of strictness.

I'm sick and I'm incredibly busy right now so I can't really think about it, but...I got in. I GOT IN! Now I just need to find the money and this time next year I'll be in the middle east!!