Archive for 2016

Shia Rights Watch_March Analysis

1.Conference ”Iran and Europe in the Mirror of History”, Sofia University, 2-3 June 2016

The Department of Iranian Studies, Sofia University ”St.Kliment Ohridsky”, and the Center for Iran, Balkans and Central European Studies are hosting this conference.

Deadline for abstracts: 8 April 2016. Information: http://www.cibce.org/
 

2. Conference: “Rethinking Social Movements in the Digital Age: Activism, Dissent and Rebellion in the Post-Arab Spring”, Orient-Institut Beirut, 29 July 2016

Theoretical contributions should examine the role of the digital in rethinking social movements and the changing nature of activism, (political) dissent, rebellion and revolutions. Empirical contributions should examine particular venues of the digital or case-studies across the Arab region.

Deadline for abstracts: 8 May 2016. Information: http://www.orient-institut.org/ (click on 29 July)

 

3. The Ezri Center for Iran & the Persian Gulf Studies at the University of Haifa will be holding a conference on “Iran and Israel  – Past and Present” on April 11, 2016.

The program of the conference could be seen in the following link:

http://gulfc.haifa.ac.il/index.php/events/conferences-workshops-and-seminars/conferences-workshops-and-seminars/427-the-8th-annual-persian-gulf-studies-conference-in-israel

Soli Shahvar
Director
The Ezri Center for Iran & Persian Gulf Studies
The University of Haifa

 

4. She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World

on view April 08–July 31, 2016

 

National Museum of Women in the Arts

1250 New York Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20005

 

http://nmwa.org/exhibitions/she-who-tells-story

 

 

5. Transformed: Medieval Syrian and Iranian Art in the Early 20th Century

Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, through July 17, 2016

http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2016/transformed

 

 

6. Department of Comparative Religion of Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia and  The Slovak Association for the Study of Religions  are delighted to announce a conference titled

 

Minorities and Majorities in the Middle East and Asia

The conference shall be dedicated to the memory of Professor Rudolf Macúch  and will take place in Bratislava  on 14th and 15th September 2016.
The relations among majorities and minorities have to a great extent shaped the face of the Middle East and other parts of Asia for millennia. The aim of this conference is to take a closer look at this issue, reflect its current trends and attempt to conceptualize them in both theoretical and practical contexts.  Therefore, we welcome contributions in the fields of Religious Studies, Anthropology, History, Oriental Studies and other human and social sciences presenting religious, ethnic or other minorities and majorities in the given context.  Since the conference will be dedicated to the memory of world-class orientalist Professor Rudolf Macúch, one section shall focus on his life and work, especially his research of the Mandaeans. This panel will include lectures of invited European and Middle-Eastern experts as well as of Mandaean community itself.   The communication languages of the conference are English, Slovak and Czech. Selected papers will be published both in the book which the organizers are currently preparing and the journal of the Slovak Association for the Study of Religions, Axis Mundi.  Please fill out the attached registration form, including the abstract, and send it to majminconf2016@gmail.com by 15th May 2016. You will be informed about the acceptance of your abstract by the end of May 2016 and receive details about the method of payment of the conference fee and further details about the conference. The conference fee is € 40 (regular) and €20 (student). The conference is free for members of the Slovak Association for the Study of Religions.

 

For further information please contact Mgr. Katarína Šomodiová at ksomodiova@gmail.com or  majminconf2016@gmail.com.

 
7. Workshop: “lslamophobia in the East of the European Union”, Prague, 23-24 October 2016

The purpose of the workshop is to lay the foundations for a possible longer term project that would explore Islamophobia in the countries of the Visegrád Group (the “Visegrád Four”, or “V4”) and in eastern Germany.

Information: mailto:i.kalmar@utoronto.ca

 

 

8. Fari Sayeed Visiting Fellow in Islamic Art, Pembroke College, Cambridge, UK

Applications are welcome from researchers in any field of Islamic Art, but an emphasis on work that might take advantage of Cambridge’s outstanding holdings of Islamic manuscripts and/or the Islamic collections in the Fitzwilliam Museum will be an advantage.

Deadline for application: 10 April 2016. Information: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/ANE925/fari-sayeed-visiting-fellow-in-islamic-art/

Research and Teaching Fellow, Middle East Politics, University of Warwick, UK

Candidates should have been or are close to being awarded a PhD in the field of Middle East politics/studies. They should have some teaching experience and experience of writing for publication in English. They must have a good proficiency in Egyptian Arabic and an interest in Egyptian popular culture.

Deadline for application: 6 May 2016. Information: https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?owner=5062452&ownertype=fair&jcode=1546160
 

Post-doctoral Associate in Islamic Ethics, Yale University – http://www.h-net.org/jobs/job_display.php?id=52778

 

9. Fall School: “Reading Fatwas”, Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg, University of Bonn, 8-12 August 2016

The purpose of this year’s Fall School is to introduce participants to the methods, sources, and lines of inquiry in studying medieval fatwas. It grows out of the Annual Programming Theme of the Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg in 2015-2016, which is Environmental Approaches to Mamluk Studies.

Deadline for application: 15 May 2016. Information: http://www.mamluk.uni-bonn.de/mamluk-events/ask-fall-school-2016.pdf

 

10. MSc in “Political Islam”, Glasgow University

This one year course has been designed for those who wish to comprehend the main currents of Islamic thinking during the modern period. This will involve investigating a number of radical Islamic movements as well as alternative understandings of Islam. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

Deadline for international applications: 22 July 2016. Information: http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/politicalislam/
 

11. Lecturer in Persian

The Roshan Institute for Persian Studies within the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Maryland seeks applicants for a position as a full-time (40 hours per week), 9-month lecturer, professional track, beginning Fall 2016. Contract is renewable contingent on performance and availability of funding.
This position will play an important role in the undergraduate program
and its management team. Along with teaching (6-8 credits per semester),
duties include developing and promoting cultural programs, serving as
Persian liaison to the Language House, designing and organizing “beyond
the classroom” activities for students of Persian, and supporting
recruitment efforts. Other duties as assigned.
For information on the mission, programs, and intellectual life of the
Roshan Institute for Persian Studies, see http://sllc.umd.edu/persian.
Requirements include: successful teaching record in Persian in a UG
higher education setting (5 year minimum); successful record as
extra-curricular coordinator or other experience with student affairs in
a higher education setting; native/near-native fluency in Persian
language and culture and English. Experience with fundraising a plus.
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV, and the names of three
references through the University of Maryland online employment
application system at https://ejobs.umd.edu/.
For best consideration, materials should be received by April 10, 2016.
The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

12. http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/asian-and-african/2016/04/eighth-and-ninth-century-versions-of-the-rustam-cycle.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+asian-and-african+%28Asia+and+Africa%29

 

Eighth and ninth century versions of the Rustam cycle

Stories of the hero Rustam and his trusty steed Rakhsh, immortalized by the tenth century poet Firdawsi in his epic poem the Shahnamah (ʻBook of kingsʼ), are among the best loved in the whole of Persian literature. Not so well-known, however, are unique versions of the same story dating from the eighth and ninth centuries which are currently on display in the international exhibition The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination at the National Museum, Delhi (More on this exhibition in my recent post Celebrating Noruz in Delhi with new ‘Everlasting Flame’).

 

 

13. Dānesh Institute

 

Call for Proposals

 

Iranians in Diaspora: Ethnic and Religious Diversity

 

Friday, October 21, 2016

Indiana University–Indianapolis

 

A Conference Sponsored by DĀNESH Institute

Hosted by Indiana University School of Social Work

Historians agree that one of the principal characteristics of enduring civilization of Iran has been cultural and religious diversity of its people. Of the present Iranian population, almost one-half is of Persian origin, while the other half represents several ethnic groups such as Armenians, Azaris, Kurds, Lurs, and Turkmans. The vast majority of Persians as well as Azaris are Moslem Shi’ite. The others are Moslem Sunni, Jewish, Baha’i, Christian, and Zoroastrian. This ethnic and religious diversity is particularly evident among Iranians in diaspora. While sharing many of Persian cultural practices, these diverse groups adhere also to their unique cultures. Thus, the primary focus of this year’s DANESH conference is to recognize and understand the Iranian diverse ethnic and religious groups in diaspora, particularly in the United States.

 

The Planning Committee for this conference invites submission of proposals for papers and panels related to the above conference theme. Papers may include empirical or conceptual studies, and panels may focus on a single topic or a range of related topics. Paper or panel proposals should include the following information:

 

1. Name, institutional affiliation, postal address, e-mail address, and phone number(s) of the paper’s author(s) or panel chair;
2. A concise professional biography of the paper’s author(s) or panel chair;
3. The title and an abstract of the paper or of the panel.

The deadline for submissions is August 12, 2016. Proposals should be sent to
Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli at itka100@iupui.edu or via U.S. mail addressed to her at Indiana University School of Social Work, 902 West New York Street, ES bldg. Indianapolis, IN 46202-5156.

 

For information regarding DĀNESH Institute, please visit: http://www.daneshinstitute.org.

Planning Committee Members: Cyrus Behroozi, Ebrahim Fakouri, Mohammad Kaviani, Shamsi Javaheri Mansoori, Irene Queiro-Tajalli, Sholeh Shahrokhi, and Bita Zakeri

 

 

14. “Contemporary Urban Landscapes of the Middle East,” Mohammad Gharipour (ed.), New York: Taylor and Francis, 2016 (ISBN-13: 9781138849594, 316 pages).

The role of urban landscape projects in the cities of the Middle East has grown in prominence since the mid-twentieth century, with a gradual shift in emphasis from private sphere to projects with an increasingly more public function. The contemporary landscape projects, either designed as public plazas or public parks, have played a significant role in transferring the modern Middle Eastern cities to a new era and also in transforming to a newly shaped social culture in which the public has a voice. This book considers what ties these projects to their cultural and political context and what regional and local design elements and concepts have been used in their development. The book chapters discuss modern and contemporary urban landscapes in Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Israel, UAE, Oman, and Qatar.

The following is the table of contents:

1 Urban landscape: public space and environment in cities of the contemporary Middle East by MOHAMMAD GHARIPOUR
2 Between garden and geography: landscape as an emergent concept in the wider Middle East by JAMES L. WESCOAT JR.
3 In pursuit of a European city: competing landscapes of Eskis¸ehir’s riverfront by KIVANÇ KILINÇ AND DUYGU KAÇAR
4 Inventing the seashore: the Tel Aviv-Jaffa promenade by ELISSA ROSENBERG
5 Sculpted landscape: the unbuilt public square of Islamabad by FARHAN KARIM
6 Paradise reconsidered: the early design history of Pardisan Park in Tehran by KATHLEEN JOHN-ALDER
7 Aspiring masonry: design thinking of experimental vernacularism by HOOMAN KOLIJI
8 Cairo’s urban parks: space, place, and meaning by AKEL ISMAIL KAHERA
9 Beyond greening: approaches to the contemporary landscape in the United Arab Emirates by KEVIN MITCHELL
10 Contemporary landscape as urbanism: emergent ecologies of the Doha Corniche by ANNA GRICHTING
11 The sovereign global city: Omani post-traditional landscape urbanism by HALA F. NASSAR AND ROBERT HEWITT
12 Epilogue: urban landscapes and future sustainable urban qualities in Middle Eastern cities by ASHRAF M. SALAMA

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Histoire de la sagesse et philosophie Shi’ite

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The 3rd Short Course on Shi’a Studies (Iran)

The University of Religions and Denominations (Qom, Iran) is pleased to invite you to the third intensive course on Shi’a Studies on August 22, 2016. This program is a 10-Day combination of scholarly workshop and cultural tour in Qom, Isfahan and Tehran. All faculty, students and researchers in related fields are invited to apply.

All classes will be held at the University of Religions and Denominations (URD) in the “Religious Capital of Iran”, Qom. This English workshop entails an introduction to Shi’a History and Theology, as well as Shiite rituals and ceremonies in the contemporary Iran. The program includes guided visits to local and cultural sites in order to provide a view of day-to-day life in Qom, which is the largest center for Shi’a scholarship in the world.

In cultural and religious tour of Isfahan and Tehran you can expect several visits to spiritual sites, accompanied by expert commentary and you’ll also enjoy traditional and cultural sightseeing, as well.

The normal fee for whole course is $1300 ($900 for workshop plus $400 for tour). The fees include all local costs (accommodations, meals, travel insurance, transportation, …). There are scholarships available every participants can apply for. You will find more information in our website at http://shiacourse.urd.ac.ir

Please don’t hesitate to email me via shiacourse@urd.ac.ir or shiacourse3@gmail.com with any questions you may have about this course.

I would greatly appreciate it if you kindly share this announcement with others who may be interested.

Yours sincerely,
Program Coordinator,
University of Religions and Denominations (Qom, Iran)
shiacourse@urd.ac.ir

Saudi reporter jailed for five years for insulting rulers: Amnesty

1.Call for Panels and Papers: 23rd International Congress of the German Middle East Studies Association, University Tuebingen, 6-8 October 2016

The annual congress of DAVO is hosted by the  University of Tuebingen. It is organized by Prof. Dr. Oliver Schlumberger (Institute of Political Science) and Prof. Dr. Johann Buessow (Department for Oriental and Islamic Studies) with the support of Ms. Stephanie Wagner. The conference will take place in cooperation with the Tuebingen Arabic Film Festival.

Scholars from all fields of the humanities and the social sciences dealing with the contemporary history, culture, society, politics and economics of the Middle East and the Islamic World are cordially invited to participate with panel presentations, papers and posters.

Panels may be offered with a closed selection of presentations or as an open forum for individual papers. Each presentation should not exceed 20 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for discussion. They can be held in German, but English is preferred.

Please note the following submission deadlines:

–       Open panels by 30 April 2016 (abstracts up to 100 words);

–       closed panels, individual papers and posters by 20 June 2016 (abstracts up to 300 words, see attached form and website).

–       Early registration of individual participants at a reduced fee until 31 July 2016 (see attached form and website).

 

Contact the General Secretary of the Congress, Amke Dietert (amke.dietert@googlemail.com); further information: http://davo2016.org/

 

 

2. Conference: “The Future of Scholarship on the Quran”, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, 9-10 April 2016

What does it mean to study the Quran? The conference will explore the relationship of traditional Islamic scholarship to Western academic study, how the Quran is interpreted, and how scholarship can inform public conversation on the Quran.

Information: http://holycross.edu/faith-service/mcfarland-center-religion-ethics-and-culture/conferences/future-scholarship-quran
 

3. Conference: “Democratization, Authoritarianism, and Radicalization: Exploring the Connections”, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, Washington, DC, 21 April 2016

Panels are: Countering Extremism, Promoting Democracy; Strategizing Democratization; Islam, Moral Authority, and Political Rights; and the Future of Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring.

Deadline for registration: 8 April 2016. Information: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/csid-17th-annual-conference-pre-registration-tickets-23900888200

 

4. Conference: “State, Society and Democracy in the Postcolony”, American Institute of Pakistan Studies, Lahore, Pakistan, 4-6 August 2016

This conference will focus on the impact of neoliberalism on state, society and democracy in the postcolonies, particularly Pakistan. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, we specifically seek to interrogate transformations in the structure of the state and its relations with society.

Deadline for abstracts: 20 April 2016. Information: http://www.pakistanstudies-aips.org/content/state-society-and-democracy-postcolony

 

5.  Conference: “War and Peace in Islam”, North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies, Cambridge, MA, 8 October 201 This conference hopes to shed light on the role of religion in general, and Islam in particular, toward war and peace, militant sectarianism and political violence in Muslim-majority nation.

Deadline for abstracts: 28 March 2016. Information: https://naaims.org/uploads/45th_Call_for_Papers_2016_-_Harvard.pdf

 

6. International Conference: “Heidegger in the Islamicate World”, University of Bern, Switzerland, 2-4 November 2016

We invite senior researchers and junior scholars working on Heidegger reception in the Islamicate world as well as recipients of Heidegger from the Islamicate world to share and reflect perspectives related to the conference’s topic.

Deadline for abstracts: 30 June 2016. Information: https://edit.cms.unibe.ch/unibe/portal/fak_historisch/dkk/islamwissenschaft/content/e101652/e411606/cfp_HeideggerintheislamicateWorld_ger.pdf

7. a) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Modern Arabic Literature and Culture, Washington University – http://mesana.org/professional-opportunities/employment.html#WUSTL

b) Visiting Assistant Professor in History & Humanities, Reed College, Portland – http://apply.interfolio.com/34488

 

c) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, Qatar University, Doha

Full-time position for a period of one year, with the possibility of a one-year renewal. We are especially interested in persons with knowledge and experience in the field of marriage and family, migration, economics and political economy, education, environment, energy and water, health, or public administration.

Application until the position is filled. Information: http://sesri.qu.edu.qa/sites/default/files/SESRI_PostDoctoralFellow.pdf
d) Three Faculty Positions in International Relations, Media and Cultural Studies, and Journalism at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Qatar

A. International Relations: http://www.dohainstitute.edu.qa/En/Careers/Pages/Apply.aspx?&JobId=DIHR007

B. Media and Cultural Studies: http://www.dohainstitute.edu.qa/En/Careers/Pages/Apply.aspx?&JobId=DIHR006

C. Journalism: http://www.dohainstitute.edu.qa/En/Careers/Pages/Apply.aspx?&JobId=DIHR005

Deadline for application: 16 May 2016.

e) Lecturer of Arabic AFL and Academic Arabic for Graduate Studies, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI), Qatar

Educated native / near native mastery of MSA, an M.A. in TAFL or related field from a reputable university, a proven record of accomplishment in teaching Academic Arabic at the graduate level, and academic familiarity with one or more of the DI’s academic disciplines are required. Successful candidates are expected to take up the post in September 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Deadline for application: 20 April 2016. Information: http://www.dohainstitute.edu.qa/En/Careers/Pages/Apply.aspx?&JobId=DIHR004
 

8. Short-term Course of Wisdom of Islamic Art in Collaboration with the University of Religions and Denominations of Qom, Iran, 22-31 August 2016

The program focuses on Islamic Arts (Miniature, Architecture, Calligraphy, Music, Ta’zieh…), discusses their philosophical foundations and entails visiting the most important Islamic architectures in the three cities of Tehran, Qom and Isfahan. All professors, researchers, students and artists in related fields are invited to apply.

Information: http://art.urd.ac.ir/

 

 

9. Articles on Multifaceted Aspects of the Internet and New Media in the Middle East for Journal “CyberOrient”

CyberOrient is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Anthropological Association, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague. This issue of CyberOrient aims to bring together the state of the art research dealing with the multifaceted social, cultural, and political aspects of the internet and new media in the Middle East.

Deadline 30 August 2016.  Information:  http://www.cyberorient.net/detail.do?articleId=3682
 

 

10. A.H. Morton Scholarship for Doctoral Research in Classical Persian Studies

 

The Gibb Memorial Trust is pleased to advertise the Annual Scholarship in memory of Alexander (Sandy) Morton for doctoral research in the area of classical Persian Studies. Sandy Morton (1942-2011) worked at the British Museum and as Senior Lecturer in Persian at the London School of African and Oriental Studies. His interests ranged widely over the field, from glass weights and numismatics to Persian literature and the history of Iran from the Saljuqs to the Safavids. He was a long-standing Trustee of the Gibb Memorial Trust.

 

The award is for a maximum of £3,000 and can be applied to any year up to the final completion of a course of doctoral study at a British university, including for an approved period of study abroad; it will be paid at the start of the academic year in question, up to the submission of the dissertation.

 

The Gibb Memorial Trust http://www.gibbtrust.org was founded in 1902 to commemorate Elias John Wilkinson Gibb. He devoted his life to researching the history, literature, philosophy and religion of the Turks, Persians and Arabs and the objectives of the Trust are to promote the study and advancement of these topics.

 

Eligibility:

The award is open to all students undertaking doctoral research at a British university in the field of classical Persian studies, loosely defined to embrace Persian literature and history of the pre-modern era but not excluding other areas of study.

 

Recipients of the award will not be eligible to reapply another year. Those unable to take up an award will need to reapply.

 

Applications:

 

• Should be submitted in writing and sent by post or email to the address below;
• Should be received not later than 30 April for the academic year starting the following October;
• Should include proof of application or of acceptance to study on a course of doctoral research at a British university;
• Should contain a brief curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages) and description of the dissertation topic and intended use of the award (maximum 2 pages plus budget);
• Should be supported by two references from the dissertation supervisor(s) or persons familiar wth the student’s previous graduate or undergraduate work, to be sent separately to the Trust by the same deadline.

 

 

Applications will be reviewed by the Trustees and shortlisted applicants may be called for an interview in person, if in the UK or, if overseas, by Skype.

 

Awards will be announced by early June. They will be paid in two instalments, depending on the nature of the support requested. The first will be made on proof of commencement or continuation of the doctoral programme at the start of the next academic year; the second instalment will follow receipt of a satisfactory progress report supported by the dissertation supervisor(s), to be received by the 30 April following.

 

In the event of applications including an approved period of research abroad, the first instalment will be made on receipt of proof of travel arrangements and the second instalment on submission of a final report with proof of the expenditures borne. Money not spent within the academic year in question should be returned.

 

All recipients of the A.H. Morton Scholarship will be required to acknowledge this support in their dissertation and to write a final report on their grant and how it furthered their work, for publication on the website of the Gibb Memorial Trust.

 

Applications and enquiries for further information should be sent to

 

 

E J W Gibb Memorial Trust
14 Avalon Way

Trumpington

Cambridge CB2 9DX

United Kingdom

 

secretary@gibbtrust.org

 

 

11. EASA’s (European Association of Social Anthropologists) call for funding applications to attend its biennial meeting (University of Milano-Bicocca 20-23 July, 2016) is now open.

For more information please visit:

http://www.easaonline.org/conferences/easa2016/funding.shtml

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