Introduction
Introduction
The Public Role of “Good Islam”: Sufi Islam and the Administration of Pluralism1
This introductory chapter provides an overview of how Sufism promotes pluralism and tolerance. It specifically analyses the African Muslim nation of Senegal, which is known for its prevalence of Sufi Muslim brotherhoods. With its openness, Sufism somehow serves as a counter to “Political Islam” which supports the entrance of the religion into the secular domain. In the case of Senegal, it is important to understand the political and religious dynamics as well as the meshing of and exchanges between the Western-educated elite and the various traditional leaders. The Senegalese case study is a historical construction in which a social contract has brought religious and political authorities together since colonial times. This contract, referred to as “Good Islam,” acts as a formal and informal system of exchange—established between the Sufi clericals and the state—it has been credited for the political stability of Senegal.
Keywords: Sufism, pluralism, tolerance, Senegal, Sufi Muslim brotherhoods, Political Islam, Good Islam, Sufi clericals
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