The Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa (ISITA) was founded in 2000 by John O. Hunwick (Northwestern University) and R. Séan O'Fahey (University of Bergen), who have collaborated for many years to achieve a better understanding of African Islamic thought.   Over ten years ago they embarked on the Arabic Literature of Africa (ALA) project, and in the mid-1990s published the first two volumes of this guide to the Islamic intellectual tradition in Africa. They also founded Sudanic Africa: A Journal of Historical Sources , which is devoted to presentation and discussion of historical sources from the Sudanic belt.

Encouraged by the international network of scholars with whom they came into contact, and inspired by the enormous potential of Arabic manuscript collections in Africa, they decided to create an Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa. ISITA's primary goal is to make the study of Muslim Africa's intellectual tradition a regular element in African studies, and in the process, reshape our understanding of African and Islamic history.  

In January 2001, ISITA received a grant of just over one million dollars from the Ford Foundation to fund a four-year project entitled, "Exploring the Islamic Intellectual Tradition in Africa." The Ford Foundation grant covers a four-year period (January 2001 through June 2004). Each year focuses on a major theme, which is approached by holding a series of seminars at Northwestern University led by invited fellows from Africa. Each year culminates in an international colloquium devoted to the yearly theme and designed to produce publications. ISITA's activities are also designed to support and broaden directors Hunwick and O'Fahey's work on their Arabic Literature of Africa series.

Yearly Themes

Year 1 (January 2001-June 2001):
The Constitution of Islamic Traditions

Year 2 (September 2001-June 2002):
Muslim Commentaries on the State

Year 3 (September 2002-June 2003):
A Muslim Intellectual Elite:   Innovation and Leadership in the Sudanese Tradition