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Islam expanded first into Africa before anywhere else. In this episode we trace the history of Islam in Africa. Starting with the hijra to Axum/Aksum by the early Muslim community, we trace the political conquests of the Rashidun and the Umayyad. We examine the importance of trade routes to the bringing of wealth, books, and preachers into the Maghreb and the partnership with Berbers to Islam. We dig deep into the scholarly tradition of Islamic Africa from Abdallah ibn Yasin to the University Al Qaraouiyine, taking a short detour to discuss the impact of the world’s oldest degree-granting university on Europe. We spend some time with the Almoravids and their bridging of Morocco to Al Andalus. Finally we conclude with a look at how Islam was shaped by African traditions, the development of Sufism, and the poetry of Al Burda by Al Busiri.
