Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Not to be confused with South Africa, the country, Southern Africa is a subtropical and temperate region comprising many culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse nations, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and the vast desert in the middle formed into the shape of Namibia. Southern Africa's varying success is connected to its rich natural resources: Zambia is laden with copper mines, while neighboring countries hold the world's largest deposits of platinum, uranium and gold; South Africa is well-known for its diamonds, which only partly explain its status as Africa's richest country. Yet the region's potential for prosperity remains blocked by legacies of the colonial scramble for Africa. South Africa still struggles with the trauma of apartheid, while World Bank debts have hollowed out the financial capacity of countries like Zambia and Mozambique. Meanwhile, China is expanding its influence through trade and cultural cooperation. This issue lifts the
lid on an oft-neglected region and asks what we can know about Southern Africa-past, present and future.
About 'Critical Muslim': A quarterly publication of ideas and issues showcasing groundbreaking thinking on Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. Each edition centers on a discrete theme, and contributions include reportage, academic analysis, cultural commentary, photography, poetry, and book reviews.
Synopsis
There is more to Scotland than the intensifying debate on independence. This is a rich land, with a rich culture and past that defy commonly held stereotypes of the Scottish people. But their nation also played a central role in the British Empire and has links to slavery. There are Muslims in far-flung places, and their influence on Scottish identity and culture is increasing.
In this issue, we explore the history and diversity of Scotland, relate the chronicles of Scotland's Muslims, get high on Scottish poetry, trace the influence of Scots on Muslim novelists, and unpack the politics of Scotland's minority language-speakers.
About Critical Muslim: A quarterly publication of ideas and issues showcasing groundbreaking thinking on Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. Each edition centers on a discrete theme, and contributions include reportage, academic analysis, cultural commentary, photography, poetry, and book reviews.