L'Afro-asiatisme: conclusions sur la Conférence de Bandoeng

Malek Ben Nabi's L'Afro-asiatisme: conclusions sur la Conférence de Bandoeng examines the 1955 Bandung Conference through a distinctive lens that integrates Islamic theology with anti-colonial political analysis. Writing in the immediate aftermath of this historic gathering of African and Asian nations, Ben Nabi presents the emergence of the Afro-Asian bloc not merely as a geopolitical phenomenon but as a manifestation of divine providence in human history.

The work develops a theological interpretation of decolonization that positions God as the ultimate agent of historical transformation. Ben Nabi argues that the solidarity emerging among formerly colonized peoples represents more than political expedience; it constitutes a divinely guided correction to centuries of Western domination. This perspective challenges both secular nationalist narratives and Western theological traditions that had often legitimized colonial expansion. The author employs Quranic concepts of divine justice and historical cycles to frame the Bandung moment as part of God's plan for human civilization.

Ben Nabi's analysis engages critically with materialist interpretations of history, particularly Marxist frameworks that were influential in many decolonizing nations. While acknowledging economic and political factors, he insists that purely secular explanations fail to capture the spiritual dimension of anti-colonial struggle. The work posits that authentic liberation requires not only political independence but also spiritual renewal grounded in recognition of divine sovereignty. This theological framework extends to his critique of Western modernity, which he characterizes as having severed the connection between political order and divine purpose.

The monograph's significance lies in its articulation of a specifically Islamic philosophy of history applied to contemporary political developments. Ben Nabi contributes to the God debate by demonstrating how theological commitments shape interpretations of major historical events. His work represents an important voice in mid-twentieth century Islamic thought, offering an alternative to both traditional Islamic jurisprudence and secular modernization theory. The text illustrates how post-colonial thinkers mobilized theological resources to theorize new forms of international solidarity while maintaining that human agency operates within divinely established parameters. This synthesis of religious conviction and political analysis would influence subsequent generations of Islamic intellectuals grappling with questions of development, identity, and global order in the post-colonial era.