GUST Library Joins Book Launch of Dr. Jennifer Lofkrantz

The Global Studies Center at Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) recently hosted a book launch ceremony for Dr. Jennifer Lofkrantz’s new book, “Ransoming Prisoners in Precolonial Muslim Western Africa.” The event provided a captivating exploration of this fascinating historical topic.

The program commenced with a warm welcome and introductions by Dr. Thorsten Botz-Bornstein, Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Chair of the Global Studies Center at GUST.
In her pioneering study, Jennifer Lofkrantz researches into the practice of ransoming prisoners during precolonial Muslim Western Africa. Her research spans the fifteenth to nineteenth centuries, focusing on regions within the Sokoto Caliphate, the Umarian States, and the broader context of the nineteenth-century jihad era. Drawing from extensive archival and oral sources, Lofkrantz examines intellectual debates among West African scholars regarding ransoming and explores its practical implementation. Her work sheds light on broader issues of slavery, freedom, and religious and ethnic identity in Muslim West Africa.

Library Manager J’Amy McCracken represented the GUST Library's participation in the event, actively securing a signed copy of Dr. Lofkrantz’s book for the ‘Faculty Publication’ corner at the library. She emphasized that "faculty publications play a central role in academia and in the life of research dissemination." J’Amy concluded the event by congratulating Dr. Jennifer Lofkrantz, praising her dedication and contributions in this field.
You can access the recording of this event here. The password is [nAb7r9+?]