The Influence Of Western Colonialism Upon Africa Islam

In the7th century, Islam produced in the Arabian Peninsula. Due to geograph,the African continent is one of the areas affected by Islam. Most residents believed in the African traditional religion and Christianity before the7th century. Because of history and social, Islam had infiltrated into North Africa and the sub-Saharan South Africa and became a local mainstream religion. It can say that in the course of the early spread, Arabic language and culture had been coming to the Africa, but also bringing the hope of the advanced civilization.However, with the human entering the Age of Discovery, Western colonists moved into the African continent and establish colonial rule, which brought great impact on islam. During the colonization, because of Christianity and colonial expansion, the spread of Islam in Africa deviated from the normal track of development,the living space was squeezed and the pace of development was slow. But due to Islam having inclusived and the Western colonialists in Africa building the roads, bridges and other infrastructure,Islam was able to more remote areas, and in-depth African hinterland. From the19th century to the20th century, it is the second stage. At this stage, the Western colonists begun to enforce a series of policies to strengthen the control of the local. In this historical context, the traditional Islamic had being seriously challenged. In order to surviving, the Islamic political leaders were in cooperation with the attitude of the colonists, or taking a more drastic way to maintaining their position.With the struggle with the Western colonizers, they tried to acquire dominant position. However, under strong pressure from the West,these efforts were unsuccessful.Thus,Muslims in Africa’s political life were gradually in the " marginalized" status, political status and political influence of the former colonial period had been difficult to maintain. Eventually, in post-colonial period Muslims began to find the new way to have political influence in Africa. In addition, this effect is not confined to political aspects. Islamic culture in Africa also had changed.During the colonial period.Islamic culture and Christian culture coexist. Islamic education, law and culture have been effected by the Western culture, which promoting the historical process of Islam.This change will undoubtedly have great significance in the post-colonial era.