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UMMAH-ANSAR

The Sudanese Ummah (“community”) Party was formed in February 1945 by proindependence nationalists, most of whom were supporters of Sayyid `Abd al-Rahman al-Mahdi, the posthumous son of Muhammad Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah (d. 1885) who founded the Mahdist movement in that country. The nearly 4 million followers of this movement, known as Ansar, constitute the

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UMMAH

 Often translated “Muslim community,” the term ummah designates a fundamental concept in Islam. Although its meaning has constantly developed through history, it has often been used to express the essential unity of Muslims in diverse cultural settings. Use in Qur’an and Hadith. The term ummah occurs sixty-four times in the Qur’an. Most studies of the

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UMAYYAD CALIPHATE

The Umayyad dynasty ruled the Islamic caliphate from the death of the fourth caliph, `Ali, in 661 until 750. The founder of the dynasty was Mu’awiyah, son of Abu Sufyan, of the Meccan clan of Umayyah. He had been appointed governor of Syria by the second caliph, `Umar; after 656 an attempt by `Ali as

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UMAR TAL

`UMAR TAL (c.1794-1864), more fully al-Hajj ‘Umar ibn Sa’id, Senegalese Islamic militant leader and thinker. Al-Hajj ‘Umar ibn Said deserves recognition as one of the towering figures of West African history in the latter part of the nineteenth century. It is to his efforts that we can ascribe the success of the Tijaniyah brotherhood which,

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ULAMA

[This entry comprises articles on religious scholars in the two main branches of Islam.] Sunni `Ulama’ The Arabic word `ulama’ is the plural of `slim, literally “man of knowledge.” The opposite of `ilm (“knowledge”) is jahl (“ignorance”). In the Qur’an both terms are frequently used in connection with knowledge of that which was revealed to

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Uganda Today: A Comprehensive Overview

Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa, has a rich history and a diverse cultural tapestry. Known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and diverse wildlife, Uganda has been making strides in various aspects of development. As of 2022, here’s a detailed look at some key aspects of the country. Political Landscape: Uganda has experienced

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UGANDA

Islam entered what is today the small, landlocked Republic of Uganda in the nineteenth century from two directions: from the east through the present republic of Kenya, and from the north through Egypt and the Sudan. However, the boundaries of present-day Uganda were not stabilized until 1914. Since then Islam has remained one of the

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TURKMENISTAN

The Turkmen tribes that converted to Islam during the period of the Seljuks have remained nominally Sunni Muslims; however, many of their religious practices are strongly influenced by tribal and regional elements, which in turn reflect remnants of pre-Islamic beliefs. These elements-cults associated with holy places (mukaddes yerleri) and Sufi saints (pirs), are characteristic of

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