Legitimate practice constructs a contemporary Muslim identity in South Africa: the case of the Tablīgh Jamat in Johannesburg

Abstract

Muslim identity in South Africa has undergone a reconstruction. This article engages with this process exploring the Tablīgh Jam at, an international movement that seeks to improve the practice of Islam amongst Muslims as a source of reconstruction. This article seeks to explain how people come to identify with being Muslim in a particular way, using data gathered from in-depth interviews, observations and text from Tablīgh Jam at literature. Data is analysed using identity construction theory which argues that meaning derived from shared experience and interrelations informs identity construction. The data reveals that the Tablīgh Jam at practices are able to increase shared experience and interrelations derived from legitimate meaning. Given these findings, the success of the Tablīgh Jam at is not likely to wane.

Keywords:

• Tablīgh Jam at
• identity
• shared experience
• Johannesburg
• Muslims in South Africa

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge Prof Peter Alexander because the article flows from my MA dissertation of which he was the supervisor. The National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa contributed to the MA via substantial funding. Dr Gabeba Baderoon has also contributed greatly to the editing of this particular article.

Notes

1. All data was gathered between 2002 and 2004.

2. Compulsory pilgrimage to Mecca.

3. Our master (term of respect used for religious scholar).

4. These explanations are context-specific and are therefore not meant to refer to any other contexts.

5. This list is not exhaustive.

6. The Prophet of Allah.