Archive for 2016

Repression and Protest in Saudi Arabia | Brandeis University

‘… in the absence of political reform and with the decline in state spending, repression will remain a staple of the Saudi political system, making the future of Saudi politics bleaker than ever.’

Fatimids and Umayyads | The Institute of Ismaili Studies

ADHRB Weekly: Independent and Impartial Investigation Needed into the Death and Alleged Torture of Detainee

Published 26.6.16
Features film/videos on Shii communities and their situations.

“Time for some Internet Problems in Duraz”: Bahraini ISPs Impose Internet Curfew in Protest Village

Shia Rights Watch Bi-Annual Report – Shia Rights Watch

Nigeria: ‘Army killed 347 Shia followers of Zakzaky’

The report in question can be accessed here.
See also BBC.

1.International Conference: “Geographies of Arab and Muslim Identity through the Eyes of Travelers”, Bucharest, 15-16 September 2016

This conference is held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Arabic Department at Bucharest University.

Information: http://www.academia.edu/3826752/Call_for_papers_Romano-Arabica_XVIII_-_Geographies_of_Arab_and_Muslim_identity_through_the_eyes_of_travelers
 

2. 12 PhD & 1 Postdoc Position, Graduate School Global Intellectual History, Freie Universitaet Berlin

Successful candidates will develop a PhD dissertation/postdoc project in the field of global intellectual history (18th to 20th century) and contribute to the activities of the program in the form of seminars, workshops and summer schools.

Deadline for application: 15 September 2016. Information:
* http://www.global-history.de/gih/positions/predoc/index.html and
* http://www.global-history.de/gih/positions/postdoc/index.html

 

3. Assistant/Associate Professor for Islam and Gender in the Social Sciences, Stanford University

A candidate with a focus on the Middle East and/or Southeast Asia is preferred. The appointment can be in Anthropology, Communication, Political Science, or Sociology.

Deadline for application: 3 October 2016. Information: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/7445
 

 

4. Articles on “Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Mysticisms” for Journal “English Language Notes” (Winter 2018)

Contributions are invited on mystical practices and beliefs, mystical writings, the culture of mysticism, and mystics themselves. We are especially interested in contributions that address the ways in which the mystical traditions of one monotheistic religion intersect with and/or speak to others.

Deadline for abstracts: 15 October 2016.  Information: http://us9.campaign-archive2.com/?u=e1ae5bef9757e58afec01a89a&id=063718b209&e=82aeb6c61d
 

 

5. A permanent Research Fellow post below at Newman University, Birmingham, UK. For further details please follow this link:

http://www.newman.ac.uk/jobs/4656/qualitative-social-science-research-fellow?1=m

Another fixed term position linked to the same project is being advertised at Hampshire College in the US:

https://jobs.hampshire.edu/index.cgi?&JA_m=JASDET&JA_s=503

See below:

 

REF: NU3216
Salary scale: £31, 656 – £35, 609 per annum
Closing date for applications: 09/08/2016

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Fellow to work within the Centre for Science, Knowledge and Belief in Society (CSKBS) at Newman University.  Up until September 2017 the post holder will work principally on the development of a large-scale project on ‘Establishing a framework for a multidisciplinary study of science in Muslim societies’. Beyond 2017 it is expected that the post holder will work on subsequent phase 2 grant delivery and contribute to the development of the ‘Science across diverse societies’ research theme within CSKBS.

‘Establishing a framework for a multidisciplinary study of science in Muslim societies’ phase 1 project overview: There is a significant gap in scholarly understanding of how Muslims living in majority and minority contexts perceive science and the role it plays in the construction of both their religious and secular worldviews. The primary aim of this planning project is to begin to build the capacity and networks necessary to conduct a larger scale research study to address this gap. This longer term research will seek to develop a more comprehensive picture of how differing groups along a spectrum of worldviews, within Muslim majority and minority contexts, relate to and form public domain narratives surrounding ‘science’ and ‘religion’.

 

The Centre for Science, Knowledge and Belief in Society (CSKBS) is a multidisciplinary Research Centre that fosters open-minded social science and humanities based research on: the public understanding and communication of the relationship between science and religion, research into the sociology and psychology of religion, and the role of science, knowledge and belief in diverse societies. For further details, please go to:

/research-centres/2371

 

 

This project will be undertaken in partnership with Dr. Salman Hameed at the Center for the Study of Science in Muslim Societies (SSiMS) at Hampshire College, US. For further details, please go to:

https://www.hampshire.edu/faculty/salman-hameed

Research Fellow candidates should expect to undertake and play a significant role in the development of the ‘Establishing a framework for a multidisciplinary study of science in Muslim societies’ project, and to contribute to project publications and the development of future research within the research CSKBS. Therefore, they are expected to have a relevant disciplinary background and an interest in/enthusiasm for the subject matter of the project and the Centre’s wider research.

We welcome applications from experienced, enthusiastic and creative early career researchers with backgrounds in:

• science and technology studies
• Sociology of religion/sociology of Islam
• qualitative sociology
• Human Geography
• related areas of social scientific research

You will hold a relevant doctoral qualification. You will have a record of research activity commensurate with your career stage. It is essential of the post holder to have some experience working on postdoctoral qualitative research projects. Language skills in French, Arabic or Turkish are desirable but not essential.  Where relevant mentoring and support will be provided.

The post is expected to start in September 2016.  

Informal enquiries regarding the above post may be made with, Dr, Fern Elsdon-Baker, F.Elsdon-Baker@newman.ac.uk, 0121 476 1181 Ext 2415.

Further particulars can be obtained by emailing: recruitment@newman.ac.uk  or telephone 0121 476 1181 ext 2398.

 

 

 

6. THE ELEVENTH ISLAMIC MANUSCRIPT CONFERENCE: SUFISM AND ISLAMIC MANUSCRIPT CULTURE

13–15 September 2016, Magdalene College, Cambridge, UK

Organised by The Islamic Manuscript Association

Registration now open.

For further information, to view the programme, or to register, see our website at www.islamicmanuscript.org

 

 

 

7. New Book Series: Islam and International Relations

The book series is a partnership between Co-IRIS and Gerlach Press. Co-IRIS is an organization that promotes and advances research on Islam and International Relations. Gerlach Press is an academic publisher specialized on the Middle East and Islamic Studies.

Series Editors: Deina Abdelkader, Nassef Manabilang Adiong, and Raffaele Mauriello.

The series addresses the role of Islam in the study and practice of the ‘international’, in terms of both conventional relations among modern states and a broader view on interactions among humans and their societies that go beyond their locality. It aims to provide a platform for advancing research on Islam and the ‘international’ with the aim to develop and sustain a body of knowledge that addresses the theories and practices of the Islamic civilization and of Muslim societies as regards international affairs, and hence enriches and diversifies the disciplines of International Relations and Geopolitics with contributions from Islamic history and thought.

We welcome book proposals in areas such as:
Islamic theories of international relations   •   Islam in International Relations theories   •   Islamic Studies and International Studies   •   Islamic Studies and Area Studies   •   Islamic approaches to world politics   •   Islam and foreign policy   •   Islam and diplomacy   •   Islam and geopolitics   •   Islam and Security Studies   •   Islam and post-colonial international relations   •   Islam and global development studies   •   Islam and international law   •   Islam and international political economy   •   Islam and international political sociology   •   Islam and human rights   •   Islam and international organizations

Submission
Please email your book proposals to info@coiris.org and include carbon copies to deina_abdelkader@uml.edu, contact@nassef.info, and raffaele.mauriello@me.com.

All book proposals should include the following:
• A title of the book.
• A description of the book (between 400 and 700 words) and its relation to competing works.
• A table of contents.
• An estimate of page length.
• One or two sample chapters.
• A curriculum vitae of the author(s).
• A proposed deadline for submission of the final manuscript.

 

 

 

8. Workshop: “A Century of Youth Engaging Politics in the Arab World”, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, 16-19 May 2017

This workshop seeks papers that will present nuanced explorations of the history of politically-motivated youth movements in the Arab world since the First World War.

Deadline for abstracts: 23 September 2016. Information: http://jenniferdueck.com/index.php/call-for-papers-youth/

 

 

 

9. Articles for Edited Book on “End of the Arab Spring? Reflections on Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary Politics in the Arab World” by Springer International Publishing

Articles are still required that critically examine the role of the military, mainstream media (Al-Jazeera), Turkey/Israel, and sectarianism/tribalism on the Arab Spring.

Deadline for abstracts: 20 August 2016. Contact Gamal Selim  gmselim@gmail.com
 

 

10. The International Society for Iranian Studies is pleased to announce, for the first time, the live video streaming of parts of its upcoming 11th Biennial Conference, held in Vienna, Austria, 3-5 August 2016.

Starting at noon Austrian time on Wednesday, the Society will make available, free of charge and through Youtube, the live streams of the plenary panels and the Opening Ceremony, which also features an awards ceremony and a musical performance by Sima Bina.

The streams will be accessible through the Society’s home page, http://www.societyforiranianstudies.org and through the Society’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/InternationalSocietyForIranianStudies/ .

The full schedule and content of the live streams is as follows:

 

Wednesday, 3 August, 12:30pm CET (Central European Time):

IRAN AND THE FUTURE OF OIL:

Convenor: Bijan Khajehpour | Managing Partner, Atieh Group

Featuring:

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani | Professor of Economics, Virginia Tech University

Helmut Lananger | Chairman of the Board of Directors, Serinus Energy

Jafar Haghpanah | University of Tehran

Javad Yarjani | Former National Representative of Iran

at OPEC

Bijan Khajehpour | Managing Partner, Atieh Group

 

Wednesday, 3 August, 18:00 CET

OPENING AND AWARDS CEREMONY – Featuring a Musical Performance by Sima BIna

 

Thursday, 4 August, 12:15 pm CET

VIENNA NUCLEAR TALKS: 1 YEAR LATER

Convenor: Mehrzad Boroujerdi | Syracuse University

Chair: Touraj Atabaki | International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam

Featuring:

Roham Alvandi | London School of Economics and Political Science:The United States and the Shah’s Nuclear Programme

Mohsen Milani | University of South Florida: The Impact of the Nuclear Deal on Iran’s Regional

Policies

Seyyed Kazem Sajjadpour | School of International Relations, Tehran: Iranian Diplomacy and the Nuclear Negotiation

Mehrzad Boroujerdi | Syracuse University: Reception of the Nuclear Deal in Iran

 

Friday, 5 August, 12:15pm CET

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES IN IRAN

Convenor: Nayereh Tohidi | California State University

Northridge & Ata Hoodashtian | Umef University

Chair: Touraj Atabaki | International Institute of Social

History, Amsterdam

Featuring:

Hassan Yousefi  Eshkevari | Independent Scholar: Is Islamic Science Possible?

Nayereh Tohidi | California State University, Northridge: Women’s Studies in Iran’s Universities: A Display of the Paradox of Islamic Republic

Ata Hoodashtian | Umef University: Human Science, Critical Thought, and Iran

Saeed Paivandi | University of Lorraine: The Meaning and Trajectory of Islamization of the

Humanities in Iran

Mohammad-Reza Nikfar | Independent Scholar: On Fortunate and Unfortunate Aspects of Social Sciences and Humanities in Iran

Sadegh Zibakalam | University of Tehran: Some First-Hand Experiences and Observations on Challenges Facing Social Sciences in Iran

 

 

 

11. York Islamic Art Circle is launching on Thursday 13th October 2016. With Professor Robert Hillenbrand presenting “Story-telling in the Great Mongol Shahnana”. At the Ron Cooke Hub, York University (UK). 6-8pm (talk starts at 6:30pm) For further info and to book a place at the launch please email islamic-art@york.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

12. Call for Papers – International Conference

From Malacca to Manchester: Curating Islamic Collections Worldwide

23-24th February, 2017

Proposal deadline: Sunday, 25th September 2016

Proposals for papers are welcome for the two day conference From Malacca to Manchester: Curating Islamic Collections Worldwide, to be held at Manchester Museum on the 23rd and 24th February, 2017. The conference is part of a wider project to catalogue and research collections of Islamic art and material culture across the Manchester Museums and Galleries Partnership (MMGP), and is supported by the John Ellerman Foundation.

In the UK there is a need to better understand the rich and complex traditions of the Islamic world. A 2010 YouGov survey commissioned by the Exploring Islam Foundation revealed that the British public know relatively little about Islam and tend to problematise it as a consequence of exposure to negative media stereotypes. In an attempt to counteract this, UK museums and galleries are using collections of Islamic art and material culture to increase understanding and challenge misconceptions. In Manchester specifically, work on the Islamic collections will inform an exciting series of events and exhibitions in 2017 to mark UK-India Year of Culture, and a permanent South Asia gallery due to open at Manchester Museum in 2020.

Concurrently, across the UK and Europe high-profile museums such as the Louvre, the British Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art, Berlin, have embarked upon or completed major re-installations of important Islamic art collections. At the same time, smaller and regional museums are developing new ways to work with existing collections. The role of the curator is changing, and previously underrepresented voices are increasingly given space to express personal responses to material cultures. All such projects represent critical opportunities to present the complexity of Islamic art in innovative new ways, reach out to new audiences and utilise the richness of Islamic material culture to promote social cohesion and understanding.

This conference will explore and appraise current and developing practices in the curating of museum collections of Islamic art and material culture across the world, in Europe and in the UK. A keynote address by Dr Stefan Weber, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, will be complemented by a series of presentations, panel discussions, practical workshops, and visits to collections in Manchester including the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Museum, The John Rylands Library (Special Collections), and Manchester Art Gallery. The conference’s aim is to offer a vibrant and challenging perspective on the field, review ongoing projects and public and scholarly engagement, and explore professionals’ aspirations for the future developments of collections of Islamic art and materials culture.

Original proposals are welcome from British, European, and international museum professionals, rising and established academic scholars, and graduate students. Submissions are invited on topics including, but not limited to:

• Recent and continuing developments in the organisation and display of museum collections of Islamic art and material culture.
• The conceptual understanding of these collections (both ‘Islamic’ and ‘art’ as concepts).
• The representation of faith in the museum.
• Presenting cultural complexity engagingly.
• Islam in Europe: in the museum.
• How museum education and volunteer programmes are engaging with this field.
• Outreach and education involving both Muslim and non-Muslim groups.
• Particular challenges faced by non-specialists working with these collections.
• Addressing the longstanding scholarly exclusion of certain regions from the traditional consideration of ‘Islamic world’ (i.e. parts of South and South-East Asia).
• Migration of artistic techniques and transregional interconnection between cultures.
• Approaches to the museum presentation of Islamic artistic traditions alongside those of non-Islamic cultures which are related temporally, geographically, or stylistically.

Guidelines for paper proposals:

Papers will be 20 minutes in length with an additional 10 minutes for questions. Proposals for presentations or panels of up to four participants should be emailed to Jenny Norton-Wright and Stephen Terence Welsh by 25th September 2016, using the following email address: malaccatomanchester@gmail.com.

Proposals should include the presenter’s name, position and institutional affiliation, the paper’s title, an abstract of up to 250 words, a biography of up to 200 words (written in the third person), and a contact email address. Panel proposals should include the above for each speaker, plus a paragraph of up to 250 words describing the panel’s rationale. Informal enquiries in advance of this deadline are welcome.

 

 

 

13. The Fifth Annual AGAPS Dissertation Award and Graduate Paper Prize
competition is upon us!

The Association for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies (AGAPS)
wishes to recognize exceptional scholarship on the region, from
across the disciplines and a variety of perspectives.

The guidelines and application are available at
http://agaps.org/agapsmesa/mesa-awards/. The deadline for complete
application packets is August 31st.

Please share this widely in your networks, and encourage your
students to apply.

Crystal A. Ennis, Leiden University
Email: c.a.ennis@hum.leidenuniv.nl | Twitter: @Crystal_Ennis

 

How Twitter robots spam critics of Saudi Arabia & Shiite Muslims

Hazara Reflect on Deadly Kabul Attack, Weekend – BBC World Service

Available for 24 more days only (first 7 minutes of programme).
See also al-Jazeera’s ‘Who are the Hazaras?’