Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Anthropology/Sociology)This thesis presents an ethnographic study of the resurgence of public performances
of Muslim-ness and an exploration of the Muslim politics of cultural difference in
the democratic, post-colonial, and liberal context of the post-apartheid South African
nation-state. The central argument that underpins my approach throughout this thesis
is that the post-apartheid cultural politics of 'rainbowism' has led to an enhanced and
remarkable resurgence of public performance of Muslim-ness in Cape Town. This
thesis posits that this resurgence has mediated a sense of belonging that is defined by
the multiple allegiances of Muslims to their local cultural particularity, to the South
African nation-state, and to the transnational Muslim Ummah
