‘Travellers in Faith’ or ‘Stealthy Legions’

Worku Hailemariam Mohammed

The Gurāgē Role in the Rise of Tablīghī Jamā‘at in Ethiopia

2024  |  94pp pb  |  ISBN: 978‐1‐917059‐02‐2

The Tablīghī Jamā‘at are an Islamic preaching movement in Ethiopia. This work explains the growth of Islam in Ethiopia in general and the Tablīghī Jamā‘at as an Islamic movement for faith renewal in particular. The majority view considers the movement as ‘Travellers in Faith’, a pietistic faith renewal, and peaceful movement with an apolitical position, whereas the minority views the Tablīghī Jamā‘at as ‘Stealthy Legions’, connected with terrorism and politics. The research shows that even though it is a transnational movement, Tablīghī Jamā‘at in Ethiopia manifests local identity and also maintains global connections, relevant to the current debate on faith and politics.