ABSTRACT
Black feminist scholars have argued that expanding the definition of politics beyond formal processes is essential to capturing the contributions of Black women as political actors. Two key theoretical contributions were generated from works rooted in the political experiences of African American women living in the United States, namely intersectionality and syncre-nationalism. This chapter argues that exploring the political activities of African Muslim women within the context of Sharia law provides insights into the interaction of religion, identity, and political behavior. It illustrates the multiple ways in which Hausa women define an inclusive politics. The chapter analyzes two particular approaches to inclusion used by their organizations, consensus building, and self-representation. Women’s interpretations of the political role Islam has ascribed to them are central overarching components that are integrated into other elements of their identity. Muslim women in Africa are depicted as passive or reactionary.
