Beyond Jihad II

Dr. Lamin Sanneh Salon

In this 2017 lecture, Dr. Lamin Sanneh explores the meaning of jihad within the broader history of Islam, challenging the common assumption that the faith spread primarily through violence or conquest. Drawing on the history of West Africa, he highlights a long-standing tradition of peaceful Islamic expansion through scholarship, trade, education, and cultural exchange. Sanneh argues that this often-overlooked pacifist tradition offers a more complete understanding of Islam's history and serves as an important counterpoint to contemporary narratives that equate Islam with extremism. His lecture invites audiences to reconsider how Islamic history has been interpreted and to appreciate the diversity of Muslim traditions and experiences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ff-qRaItw