The representation of Islam in Afrikaans literature.

The portrayal of Islam in Afrikaans literature, whether by canonised authors or those writing from various marginalised sites, forms the essence of this research report, which has been motivated by an interest in the colonial connection between South Africa and an Islamitic country such as Indonesia. A historical context is presented, but the focus falls on Afrikaans texts published since the mid-twentieth century, and the presence of, challenges to and the undermining of long existing stereotypes. Works by various authors (canonised, marginalised, Islamic and non -Islamic) from different genres (novels, children’s literature, short stories, poetry, etc.) are included. In discussing these different texts, the conclusion is that the presence and representation of Islam in Afrikaans are much more widespread, diverse and ambigious than might have been expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]