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This is a discussion of Islam in Northern Africa, by an anthropologist who is a specialist on Northern Africa.  She has lived with her family in several countries and here presents a comparative portrait of the daily lives of people in certain Northern African countries.

While this is not meant to be a technical ethnography, it is more useful to a broader audience since she deals with the daily lives and attitudes of common people within these societies.  We often have access only to the political leaders, which rarely represents the people as a whole.  Fluehr-Lobban's work here will enable readers to learn about the peoples, the ethnic groups, the families, the lineages and their broader daily lives as fellow human beings.

As background where necessary to fill in the picture, she analyzes trends in politics, adaptation to modern technology and challenges to the Muslim perspectives over the last century.  She investigates and compares aspects of these societies such as the role of women, relations with non-Muslims and attitudes to education and modernization.

Her insights are helpful because of the breadth of cultural detail she provides on the peoples and systems in the Egypt, Tunisia and Sudan.  A valuable result of her analysis is the reality that there is little agreement among the Muslims of various societies – even these three neighbours – on just what Islam is or should be, in belief or in practice, and definitely in political structures that should be followed.

Diplomats, especially, need the rich wealth of practical information Fluehr-Lobban provides here.  Any other readers will also benefit from this informative, enjoyable and very practical resource.

See related reviews and articles on this site:
Arabs:  Self-Identity and Foreign Views
Complex and Diverse Muslim Realities
Islam, A Realistic and Sympathetic Portrait
Islam:  Its Life and Values
Muslim and Christian:  Comparing the Paths
The Real Causes of "Islamic" Religious Violence
Reclaiming Islam from the Hijackers: The Real Islam Stands Up
Saddam's Secrets
Sumerians, Arabs and the Invading Coalition
Why is this Happening?

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OBJ

First reading notes written 2 March 2006
Expanded and posted on Amazon 12 February 2009
Posted on Orville Jenkins Thoughts and Resources 23 February 2009
Last edited 7 January 2013

Orville Boyd Jenkins, EdD, PhD
Copyright © 2009 Orville Boyd Jenkins
Permission granted for free download and transmission for personal or educational use.  Please give credit and link back.  Other rights reserved.

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