Paper short abstract:

This ethnographic and multi-sited paper explores the transnational ties to Kuwait of a Tanzanian Shi'i Muslim NGO. Global networks and resources are adapted to address local and national disadvantages of a minority community in religiously-mixed East Africa.

Paper long abstract:

Media and policy analysis often depicts African Muslims as pawns in the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, ignoring the wider history of trans-regional connections between Africa and the Middle East. Yet Iran is not the only Shi‘i player in Africa. This paper examines a prominent Shi‘i Islamic organization in Tanzania with connections to Kuwait. Transnational ties create opportunities for the empowerment of Tanzanian Muslims who adapt global networks and resources to address their local and national disadvantages. Based on ethnographic research in Kuwait and Tanzania, I explore one trajectory for the expansion of Shi‘i Islam in religiously-mixed East Africa.

The origins, discourses and objectives of Ahl al-Bayt Centre (ABC), which follows the teachings of Ayatollah Shirazi, highlight the interconnection of diverse local, national, and transnational actors in social welfare provision. ABC was originally founded as a small Quranic school in Northern Tanzania in 1986 by clerics from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The school expanded into an Islamic seminary and vocational training center through assistance from Al-Thaqalain Social Philanthropy Association. The only officially registered Shi‘i Islamic NGO in Kuwait, Al-Thaqalain’s founder is a Member of Parliament who used his political clout to obtain this status. With generous charitable contributions from Kuwaiti Shi‘a, ABC developed into an indigenous Tanzanian organization that prioritizes spiritual as well as material advancement. Its goal is to better position Tanzania’s Shi‘a as capable, self-sufficient, and professionalized nationals able to proudly contribute to their country despite the history of marginalization of Muslims in East Africa.