Exploring Islam in Nigeria
A panel of experts convened at the Harvard Divinity School’s (HDS) Center for the Study of World Religions on Monday for a discussion on Islam in central Africa, in preparation for the visit of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto in Nigeria. The scholars explored the history of the sultan’s position and influence in Nigeria as the religious leader of its Muslim population, as well as the cultural, traditional, and religious significance of Islam in Nigeria. Abubakar will visit Harvard for a series of lectures and discussions next month, including the Samuel L. and Elizabeth Jodidi Lecture, one of the Divinity School’s most distinguished events, established “for the promotion of tolerance, understanding, and good will among nations, and the peace of the world.” The talk, titled “Islam and Peace-Building in West Africa,” is being jointly sponsored by the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and HDS, and will take place at...