State, Society and Islam in the Western Regions of the Sahara (Hardback Book)

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Explore the complex interplay between state, society, and Islam in the western regions of the Sahara. This in-depth, open-access book moves beyond sensationalist news and policy briefs to offer a nuanced understanding of the diverse experiences of Hassaniya-speaking groups and the contrasting political regimes they inhabit. Drawing on up-to-date fieldwork and contributions from various disciplines, including law, Islamic studies, history, anthropology, politics, gender, and media studies, the book provides fresh analysis and an insider's perspective on regional interactions and social change. It sheds new light on shifting social hierarchies, evolving gendered power dynamics, and generational reinterpretations of tradition. The book highlights the pivotal role of Hassaniya-speaking groups in the region's political culture and their deep association with Islam as both religious expression and cultural marker. This interdisciplinary collection examines the complex and ambiguous relations between statehood, Islam, nation-building, and identity formation across southern Morocco, the Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Algeria. It showcases how urban lifestyles are being adopted and how Hassaniya-speaking actors are adapting to state-administered social policies and new dispute resolution methods. Product Summary: State, Society and Islam in the Western Regions of the Sahara, Hardcover, English, 376 pages, Francisco Freire (Anthology Editor), Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.