Race, Islam, African Diaspora

In His Lecture, Professor Curtis will address issues of global anti-black racism in the African Diaspora, with a focus on Islamic ritual practices that utilize ideas of Black/African identity. He will compare the practices of African American Muslims in the United States to those of the Ghawarna of Jordan, the Stambeli of Tunis, and the Siddis of Gujarat. An association between black identity and healing can be a powerful antidote to racism. Curtis argues, however, that if modern and reformist versions of Islam deny the Islamic authenticity of such practices, this may get in the way of racial healing. External Event Url
James R. Cox Auditorium, UT Alumni Memorial Building
Alumni Memorial Bldg, 1408 Middle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA