# Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa

> research institute at Northwestern University

**Wikidata**: [Q106146643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106146643)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/institute-for-the-study-of-islamic-thought-in-africa

## Summary
The Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa (ISITA) is a research institute at Northwestern University specializing in the study of Islam in Africa. Founded in 2000 by John Hunwick, it operates under the Northwestern University Program of African Studies and is located in Evanston, Illinois.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2000 by John Hunwick  
- Located at 620 Library Place, Evanston, IL 60208  
- Part of the Northwestern University Program of African Studies  
- Specializes in the field of Islam in Africa  
- Coordinates: 42.054805555555554°N, -87.67838888888889°W  
- Founded under the Northwestern University Program of African Studies  
- Maintained a partnership with the Library of Congress authority ID nr2007009498  
- Houses a Yale LUX ID: group/e2f81a8d-8dd2-4fba-9595-25f4a3919c87  
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007312775505171  

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary focus of ISITA?  
A: ISITA specializes in the study of Islam in Africa, serving as a research institute dedicated to this field at Northwestern University.  

### Q: When was ISITA established?  
A: The institute was founded in 2000 by John Hunwick.  

### Q: How is ISITA structured within Northwestern University?  
A: It operates as part of the Northwestern University Program of African Studies, located in Evanston, Illinois.  

### Q: What are the key identifiers for ISITA?  
A: It has a Library of Congress authority ID (nr2007009498), Yale LUX ID (group/e2f81a8d-8dd2-4fba-9595-25f4a3919c87), and National Library of Israel J9U ID (987007312775505171).  

## Why It Matters
ISITA addresses the critical need for academic research on Islam in Africa, a region with deep historical and cultural Islamic heritage often underrepresented in Western scholarship. By serving as a dedicated research hub, it advances the understanding of Islamic thought, scholarship, and practices across diverse African contexts. This work fosters cross-cultural dialogue, preserves historical knowledge, and supports scholars dedicated to studying Islamic traditions in Africa, thereby enriching global Islamic studies and addressing gaps in academia.  

## Notable For
- Dedicated research focus on Islam in Africa as a specialized institute.  
- Founded by John Hunwick, a pivotal scholar in African Islamic studies.  
- Unique position as part of Northwestern University’s Program of African Studies.  
- Multilingual alias representation including Arabic, French, and English.  
- Comprehensive address and coordinate documentation (620 Library Place, Evanston).  

## Body
### Overview
Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa (ISITA) is a research institute within Northwestern University. It operates under the Northwestern University Program of African Studies and is physically located at 620 Library Place, Evanston, IL 60208.  

### Founding and Leadership
Established in 2000, ISITA was founded by John Hunwick. The institute operates as part of the broader Northwestern University Program of African Studies, with administrative and scholarly integration documented as of 2021.  

### Specialization
ISITA focuses exclusively on Islam in Africa, as explicitly stated in its field of work. Its research scope encompasses historical, cultural, and intellectual dimensions of Islamic thought across the African continent.  

### Location and Contact
Physically situated in Evanston, Illinois, ISITA’s coordinates are 42.054805555555554°N, 87.67838888888889°W. Its website is https://isita.northwestern.edu/, available in English.  

### Identifiers
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: nr2007009498  
- **IDref ID**: 121556719  
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007312775505171  
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/e2f81a8d-8dd2-4fba-9595-25f4a3919c87  

### Multilingual Representation
The institute is represented through multiple aliases, including:  
- Arabic: معهد لدراسة الفكر الإسلامي في إفريقيا, ايسيتا  
- French: Institut pour l'étude de la pensée islamique en Afrique  
- English: Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought, ISITA  
- Arabic Transliteration: Maʻhad li-Dirāsāt al-Fikr al-Islāmī fī Afrīqiyā/Ifriqiyā

## References

1. [Source](https://isita.northwestern.edu/)
2. [Source](https://isita.northwestern.edu/about/history.html)
3. [Source](https://lccn.loc.gov/nr2007009498)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://africanstudies.northwestern.edu/research/ISITA/index.html)
6. [Source](https://africanstudies.northwestern.edu/research/index.html)
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File