Muslim Journeys: Algeria and Nigeria

North Africa and the Middle East (political map), 2009, produced by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

Photo from: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/n_africa_mid_east_pol_2009.jpg

University of Texas at Austin, Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection

We often associate the Middle Eastern, Arab societies with the Islamic faith. We forget that Islam is a world religion, with many followers from different cultures and places in the world. Community members from Redlands Peace Academy, with generosity and good will, have put together an exhibit of cultural objects from two African nations represented in their local faith community—Algeria in North Africa and Nigeria in Western Africa.

Sabreen Mohammad and Najoa Bouzidi arranged objects from cultures prevalent in both nations. The visually interesting display can be viewed in Armacost Library’s eastern display cases in the lobby. The objects are on loan from the Aiyeloja family and the Bouzidi family, both members of Redlands Peace Academy. The pieces on display include hand drums, a handsomely decorated gourd bowl, a small replica of d'Ain El Fouara fountain located in Sétif, Algeria, which was built by the Romans, a North African prayer rug, headwear, and footwear. Items are grouped by their originating nation-state.

Information about some of the items on display are also provided with the exhibit.

The Algerian-Nigerian cultural exhibit will be on display at University of Redlands Armacost Library’s lobby until Friday, September 13, 2013. The Redlands Peace Academy display is part of the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys activities at University of Redlands Armacost Library, a program that serves to highlight Islam and the cultures, histories, and stories of Muslim-majority societies. Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA).

All are welcome to visit and enjoy the beautiful cultural exhibit.

Melissa I. Cardenas-Dow
Outreach/Behavioral Sciences Librarian
Armacost Library, University of Redlands
909.748.8089
Melissa_Cardenasdow@redlands.edu