Habeeb Akande is a British-born writer and historian of Yoruba descent. He is an alumnus of al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt and Kingston University in the UK.

Illuminating the Blackness presents the history of Brazil’s race relations and African Muslim heritage. The book is separated into two parts. Part I explores the issue of race, white supremacy, colourism, beauty and affirmative action in contemporary Brazil. Part II examines the reported African Muslims’ travels to Brazil before the Portuguese, the slave military revolts in Bahia and the West African Muslim communities in nineteenth century Brazil. The author explores the black consciousness movement in Brazil and examines the reasons behind the growing conversion to Islam amongst Brazilians and shares his insights into the complexities of race in Brazil and draws comparisons with the racial histories of the pre-modern Muslim world.

Join us for the launch of Habeeb Akande’s latest book, ‘Illuminating the Blackness: Blacks and African Muslims in Brazil’. It will be available to purchase from the IHRC Bookshop on the night. Since Habeeb Akande’s last event at IHRC, he will be discussing his recent two trips to Brazil. He will be speaking about the challenges the Muslim community face in Brazil and the growing Muslim community in Brazil.

WHEN: Thursday 12 May, 6.45pm

WHERE: IHRC Bookshop & Gallery, 202 Preston Road, Wembley, HA9 8PA (Nearest tube: Preston Road / Metropolitan Line)

Watch the Book Launch live on IHRC.TV – tweet questions and comments to @IHRC