Students, Workers, Citizens: an Overview of the History of Muslims in Contemporary Naples
In: Studi MagrebiniSearch for other papers by Nicola Di Mauro in
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Abstract
This article investigates the dynamic transformations of Islam in contemporary Naples by examining the intertwined experiences of Muslim students, workers, and citizens from the 1980s to the present. Drawing on archival materials and ethnographic research, it traces how Muslims in Naples – initially as international students, later as labor migrants, and increasingly as active participants in civic life – have shaped and been shaped by the context. The article highlights three key moments: the emergence of Islamic organizations led by international students during the 1980s; the pluralization of Muslim communities through mass migration; and the evolving yet often inconclusive dialogue between Islamic organizations and city administrations concerning access to spaces and services. Despite this last controversial dialogue, the article argues that Muslim communities have gained symbolic and civic recognition through ongoing negotiations with local institutions. Emphasis is placed on the powerful role of small groups and individuals – especially leaders of Islamic centers – whose persistent activism has profoundly reshaped both the religious landscape and the very notion of citizenship in Naples. The article offers a situated understanding of Islam, attentive to both structural dynamics and the agency of local actors.
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| Abstract Views | 161 | 161 | 11 |
| Full Text Views | 2 | 2 | 0 |
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Students, Workers, Citizens: an Overview of the History of Muslims in Contemporary Naples
In: Studi MagrebiniSearch for other papers by Nicola Di Mauro in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
This article investigates the dynamic transformations of Islam in contemporary Naples by examining the intertwined experiences of Muslim students, workers, and citizens from the 1980s to the present. Drawing on archival materials and ethnographic research, it traces how Muslims in Naples – initially as international students, later as labor migrants, and increasingly as active participants in civic life – have shaped and been shaped by the context. The article highlights three key moments: the emergence of Islamic organizations led by international students during the 1980s; the pluralization of Muslim communities through mass migration; and the evolving yet often inconclusive dialogue between Islamic organizations and city administrations concerning access to spaces and services. Despite this last controversial dialogue, the article argues that Muslim communities have gained symbolic and civic recognition through ongoing negotiations with local institutions. Emphasis is placed on the powerful role of small groups and individuals – especially leaders of Islamic centers – whose persistent activism has profoundly reshaped both the religious landscape and the very notion of citizenship in Naples. The article offers a situated understanding of Islam, attentive to both structural dynamics and the agency of local actors.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 161 | 161 | 11 |
| Full Text Views | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 5 | 5 | 0 |
