Archive for 2019

1.Call for submissions, Verge 8.1: Indian Ocean Studies, Afro-Asian Affinities

Edited by Emmanuel Bruno Jean-Francois (Penn State) and Neelima Jeychandran (Penn State)

Submission Deadline: November 1, 2020

All submissions and inquiries should be sent to verge@psu.edu

While the longue durée history of the Indian Ocean involves the constant movement of peoples, tracing such migration has often undervalued the dynamic commercial, cultural, and religious exchanges between Asia and Africa over extended historical periods. Indeed, many sites of the Indian Ocean World (including coastal belts and their hinterlands and myriad islands) evidence the cross-pollination and transformation of cultural performances, modes of being, and ways of knowing—many of which have traditionally been assigned to specific “source” cultures or geographies. Expressions of transoceanic consciousness—visible through hybrid architectural structures, material cultures, cuisines, sacred geographies, literatures, music, and linguistic traditions—point to the prevalence, within the oceanic scape, of fluid localities and practices. These localities are constantly redefined by unscripted processes and transversal ontologies that transfigure subjects, spaces, cultures, and ecosystems by disrupting the fixity of established cartographies and ascribed identities. In Indian Ocean studies, while much attention has been devoted to studying mobilities, commercial and kinship networks, and religious exchanges, artistic transactions, shared affinities, and transcultural expressions remain under-researched.

This issue of Verge thus invites original essays that pay special attention to alternative narratives, uncharted networks, and invisible cartographies of the Indian Ocean World that call for a re-assessment of localities, idioms, and scapes. Building on new scholarly frameworks—such as Indian Ocean Studies, Afro-Asian Studies, and theories of the Global South—that have expanded the perspectives through which we define and theorize relations beyond the inherent tension of postcolonial studies, we solicit work that maps the dissemination of indigenous knowledge and related practices between Afro-Asian geographies to understand how older frameworks of knowing generate eclectic projections and renderings about Africa in Asia and vice versa. We are particularly interested in considering how vernacular or so-called local expressions and ontological narratives of mobilities foreground complex histories of exchange that construct and disseminate the idea of transcultural consciousness differently. Engaging with the arts, literatures, performances, popular cultures, diasporic narratives, new media, and cinema from both Asia and Africa via the transoceanic circuit of the Indian Ocean, we ask: How do communities construct and reinvent the Indian Ocean as a space of transcultural assemblage? How do creative and expressive cultures reactivate or present occluded (his)stories of shared affinities, ontologies, and knowledge? Topics of interest may include (but are not restricted to): littoral imaginings, navigating languages, performative historiographies, and artistic and bodily practices.

Essays (between 6,000-10,000 words) should be prepared according to the author-date + bibliography format as outlined in section 2.38 of the University of Minnesota Press style guide. More editorial information can be found on the journal’s website. : https://www.upress.umn.edu/journal-division/journals/verge-studies-in-global-asias

 

 

 

 

2. An international conference on Islamic Studies Today

celebrating the 30th anniversary of the publication of the

Journal of Islamic Studies

Friday 27th and Saturday 28th of September 2019 at the
Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Marston Road, Oxford OX3 0EE

Registration for the conference is required. Please register at:

https://www.oxcis.ac.uk/events/jis-conference

Further programme details will follow in due course.

Enquiries: jis.conference@oxcis.ac.uk

Secular/Religious Myths of Violence: The Case of Nizārī Ismailis of the Alamūt Period in: Studia Islamica Volume 114 Issue 1 (2019)

Contemporary narratives of violence, particularly in the aftermaths of the most recent expressions of violence by the so-called ‘Islamist’ groups have rekindled the false dichotomy of religious versus secular violence. Such a deforming prism which has also become dominant in political science traces the origins of violence to faith communities in medieval times and, among others, to Nizārī Ismailis, with whom the myth of the assassins have been associated.

Defying authority: Arab, Russia and Pakistan protesters learn lessons of 2011

The degree to which Sudanese protesters are willing to implement lessons learnt from the 2011 revolts will be determined by their willingness and ability to sustain their protests in the face of violence. The opposition this week rejected an offer by General Al-Burhan to reopen negotiations and hold elections within nine months.

13 Rights Groups Urge King of Bahrain to Commute Death Sentences of Two Men Facing Imminent Executions

30 May 2019 – Today, 13 rights groups wrote to King Hamad bin Isa AlKhalifa to urge him to commute the death sentences of torture victims Ali Al-Arab and Ahmed Al-Malali. Both men are at imminent risk of execution pending ratification by the King, having exhausted all legal remedies.

For BIRD Weekly 237 click here.

 

 

1. Call for Papers
American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies (ACSIS) invites scholars and academics for a two-day conference to be held on 27-28 March 2020 at Villanova University.
Villanova University is located at: Garey Hall, Villanova University,
800 E. Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA 19085 USA

The theme of the conference: “The influence of Islam in politics and society: civic engagement, social inclusion and political participation”.
January 24 is due date for the abstracts of no more than 250 words.
The abstracts should be sent to this address: l.chamankhah@gmail.com
We recruit new members. In the ACSIS website < acsis.villanova.edu > you will find more information about membership.

 

 

 

 

2. Journées doctorales sur “Dynamiques des identités arabes et musulmanes”, La Halqa, association des doctorant-e-s en sciences sociales sur les mondes musulmans modernes et contemporains, MMSH à Aix-en-Provence, 6 et 7 juin 2019

En créant un espace aux doctorant-e-s pour présenter leurs travaux, les Journées de la Halqa permettent d’échanger sur des problématiques communes par-delà les barrières disciplinaires des sciences sociales, de confronter leurs méthodes et leurs approches tout en proposant un état des lieux de la recherche en France sur les mondes musulmans modernes et contemporains. La Halqa accueille les doctorant-e-s de toutes écoles, universités et institutions françaises et étrangères.

Programme : https://f.hypotheses.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1460/files/2019/05/programme_halqa_2019.pdf

 

 

 

 

3. Workshop: “African Responses to European Colonial Occupation in Western Africa through Arabic and Ajami Texts”, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, Nantes, 25-26 June 2019

See program at https://f.hypotheses.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1460/files/2019/05/Programme_CLQ-25-26-JUIN-web-v1-1.pdf

 

 

 

 

4. Conference of the International Qur’anic Studies Association (IQSA): “Reading the Qur’an in the Context of Empire”, Tangier Global Forum of the University of New England, Tangier,  25-26 July 2019

Participants are encouraged to exchange views on the relationship between the Qur’an and other religions. The conference will unveil new research on the Qur’an, and create a platform for connecting other religions to Qur’anic studies. The sub-themes of the conference are as follows: the Qur’an and Other Religions; Tafsir and the translation of the Qur’an; Qur’anic Manuscripts; the Qur’an and Mysticism; etc.

See program at https://iqsaweb.wordpress.com/international-meeting-2019/

 

 

 

 

5. 26^th International Congress of the German Middle East Studies Association (DAVO) combined with the Conference of the Section for Islam Studies of the Deutsche Morgenländische Gesellschaft (DMG), Hamburg, 3-5 October 2019

The deadline for abstracts of papers and panels has been extended until 30 June 2019. Please send your abstracts to the Secretary General of the Congress, amke.dietert@googlemail.com. Further information: https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/en/voror/veranstaltungen/2019-davokongress.html

 

 

 

 

6. Roundtable Workshop: “Post-Sectarian Politics in the Middle East”, University of Cambridge, 24 January 2020

The objective of this workshop is to bring together scholars and specialists to offer comparative perspectives on the evolution of sectarian politics, including modes of resistance and re-signification in the Middle East and, through comparative analysis, in other parts of the Muslim world. We aim to produce a special journal issue of scholarly research developed from papers presented at the workshop as a well as a short podcast series.

Deadline for abstracts: 15 July 2019. Information: https://mesana.org/resources-and-opportunities/2019/05/01/call-for-papers-post-sectarian-politics-in-the-middle-east-university-of-cambridge

 

 

 

 

7. Associate Lecturer (Education Focused) in Middle Eastern and Islamic History, c. 600-1700, University of St Andrews

Tenable from 1 September 2019 for a period of one year. The successful candidate will join a distinguished cluster of scholars working on aspects of Middle Eastern history. S/he must have a command of classical Arabic and/or Persian. Candidates should be able to contribute to the activities of the Institute of Iranian Studies and the Centre for Anatolian and East Mediterranean Studies (http://caems.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/ ).

Deadline for applications: 14 June 2019. Information: https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/J/3297/19/230619/889/associate-lecturer-education-focused-in-middle-eastern-and-islamic-history-c-600-1700-aoac1954rxhm

 

 

 

 

8. Lecturer in Contemporary Islamic Studies, University of Oxford

The post will specialise in Modern Islamic Thought and Political Islam. The successful applicant will hold a doctorate in a discipline relevant to modern Islamic Studies, and will demonstrate a depth and breadth of knowledge of Arabic sources and current debates sufficient to teach and carry out research in these areas to a very high standard.

Deadline for applications: 7 June 2019.

Information: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BSC243/departmental-lecturer-contemporary-islamic-studies?fbclid=IwAR05SbLP1xfltNqhnHgq6QxkFoAddirWTuOuy0mRYFWifpPj0Bl2ff0x8J0

 

 

 

 

9. École d’été : “Sources et méthodes pour l’étude du phénomène missionnaire au Moyen-Orient (fin XIXe-nos jours)”,  EFR Rome, 3-7 juin 2019

Écrire l’histoire des missions orientales à partir des archives romaines. Centralisation, classification, conservation?

Programme : http://iremam.cnrs.fr/IMG/pdf/prog-ed-062019-d.pdf

 

 

 

 

10. Session intensive de formation: “Muḥammad, Prophètede l’islam”, Institut Catholique de Paris, 12-14 juin 2019

Cette session s’attachera à découvrir qui est Muḥammad ? Que sait-on de lui ? Un prophète, un chef de guerre, un mystique, le fondateur d’une civilisation ? Cette session de trois jours conduite sous la direction du frère Emmanuel Pisani, Directeur de I`ISTR, réunira des chercheurs de renommée anisi que plusieurs chercheurs d’une nouvelle génération d’islamologues français.

Information: https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/billets-muhammad-prophete-de-lislam-session-intensive-de-formation-58797059588

 

 

 

 

11. Articles for Journal “Contemporary Arab Affairs (CAA)”

The editors of this peer-reviewed journal published by the Centre for Arab Unity Studies and University of California Press, invite authors to submit original multidisciplinary articles on the Arab World (5,000-7,000 words) to the editor at caa@caus.org.lb.

Deadline for manuscripts: 31 December 2019. Information: http://caa.ucpress.edu/content/submit

 

 

 

 

12. Call for applications

PhD research contract in Iranian linguistics (French National Center for Scientific Research)

 

Organization: French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)

University : Sorbonne Nouvelle University – “Languages Sciences” Doctoral school

Scientific Responsible: Pollet SAMVELIAN

Job Location: Paris / Ivry-sur-Seine

Web address for applications:

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/FRE2018-POLSAM-001/Default.aspx?lang=EN

Type of Contract : PhD Student contract / Thesis offer

Contract Period : 36 months

Start date of the thesis : 1 October 2019

Proportion of work : Full time

Remuneration : 2 135,00 € gross monthly

Deadline for applications : 22 June 2019

 

 

1. Université Sorbonne nouvelle – Paris 3

Département d’Etudes Arabes, hébraïques, indiennes et iraniennes (EAHII)

invites applications for a 2-year M.A. degree in Persian Studies (études iraniennes),

including courses on the literature, history, religions, cultures and societies of the Persianate world during the mediaeval, early modern, and modern periods

 

Information: Professor Oliver Bast  (oliver.bast@sorbonne-nouvelle.fr)

Start of the academic year 2019-2020: 16 September 2019

www.univ-paris3.fr/etudes-iraniennes

 

 

 

 

2. The “Averroes Edition” Project is offering a 3-year PhD position in Arabic Philosophy in Cologne. 

Further details can be found on the website of the project: https://averroes.uni-koeln.de/job-posting-3yr-phd-position-in-arabic-philosophy/.

 

 

 

1.The University of Hamburg is hosting a summer course from August 14th to 18th for graduate students and researchers who work with manuscript materials in Arabic script and want to learn how to apply digital technology in their research. It includes both theoretical and practical sessions on digital encoding and editing of manuscript texts, data annotation, search and visualization.
There is no registration fee, but advanced registration is compulsory for the selection process as the number of participants is limited to twenty. The application deadline is the 24th of June, 2019.
For further details, please visit the website:
https://www.cobhuni.uni-hamburg.de/en/news-and-events/summerschool19.html or contact Alba Fedeli at alba.fedeli@uni-hamburg.de

 

 

 

 

2. Islam and Society: Challenges and Prospects. AAIMS Second Conference on the Study of Islam and Muslim Societies.

Hosted by the School of Social Sciences and Psychology at Western Sydney University, in partnership with Alfred Deakin Institute at Deakin University.

30 September and 1 October 2019

Western Sydney University Parramatta South Campus, Female Orphan School

We are pleased to announce confirmation of our international keynote speaker, award winning scholar and activist Deepa Kumar from Rutgers University in the United States. She will be speaking on: Terrorcraft: The Making of the Racialized Terrorist Threat.

 

CALL FOR PAPERS

The two leading nodes in Australian scholarship of race and ethnic studies are combining to offer the second Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (AAIMS) Conference. After the successful inaugural conference, the second conference will further represent the depth and breadth of scholarship in Australia and internationally. It will showcase and reflect upon the range of Muslim experiences across many countries from multi-disciplinary perspectives. The conference will bring together scholars from such disciplines as law, politics, sociology, religious studies, geography, philosophy and theology. The conference will feature international and local keynotes who are leading scholars in their fields.

 

In addition to papers, we are calling for convenors and participants for conference panels on cutting edge topics that fit within the broad theme of the conference.

 

We strongly encourage Higher Degree by Research students to attend and the conference program will include networking, feedback and mentoring sessions. HDR students are eligible for a discounted fee.

 

Topics for presentation might include (but are not limited to) the following:

 

• Geopolitics of Islam
• Islam in an era of populism
• Countering Violent Extremism
• Islam and women
• Muslim organisations, politics and volunteering
• Islamophobic ideologies, manifestation, impact and response

 

• Refugees and Islamophobia
• Youth and Islam
• Islam in the spaces of education
• Law and religion
• Muslim popular cultures and new media
• Islam in Indonesia
• Converts, reverts and apostates

 

Application Process Abstracts (100-200 words) Brief bio (50-100 words)

 

Participants are expected to organise and financially cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Advice will be later provided on registration options and suitable accommodation.

 

Please send abstracts to:

Mehrnosh Lajevardi Fatemi (M.lajevardifatemi@westernsydney.edu.au) by Friday 14 June, 2019

Queries can be directed to Professor Linda Briskman (l.briskman@westernsydney.edu.au) or Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh (shahram.akbarzadeh@deakin.edu.au).

 

 

 

 

3. Islamic Manuscript Traditions”: A talk by Sabine Schmidtke at the occasion of the spring meeting of the IAS Board of Trustees (May 2019). Please check out one of the following links:

YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/tYAr2jZQDsA
IAS Videos page link:  https://video.ias.edu/sabine/2019/0521-SabineSchmidtke

 

 

 

 

4. Associate Professorship in Arab and Islamic Studies, Department of the Study of Religion, Aarhus University

We are looking for scholars with a strong research profile in the modern or contemporary Arab or Islamic world, and with a research record that includes research focusing on some aspect of Shia Islam in the Arab world. Research related to globalisation, transnationalism or transregionalism which includes aspects of Islam would also be an advantage.

Deadline for applications: 13 June 2019. Contact: Marianne Birn (mbb@cas.au.dk)

 

 

 

 

5. Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) in Ottoman History, University of California, Los Angeles

This position at the rank of assistant professor in 16^th through mid-19^th century Ottoman history will begin on 1 July 2020. All candidates should have completed their PhD in history no later than 30 June 2020.

Deadline for applications: 15 October 2019. Information: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF04522

 

 

 

 

6. Short-Term Research Grants, Center for Islam in the Contemporary World, Shenandoah University

Applications are invited for short-term research grants for Summer and Fall 2020. Maximum amount for short-term research grant is $2,500 for faculty/post-doctoral applicants and $2,000 for graduate students. These grants are meant to support research and writing by individual scholars and advanced graduate students in the US and Canada. Grants could include funding for travel, research support, publication and dissemination of results.

Deadline for applications: 31 December 2019. Information: https://www.contemporaryislam.org/research-grants.html

 

 

 

 

7. Grant for Academic Study Related to Yemen, British-Yemeni Society

Applications for this £500 grant are invited from anyone carrying out research in, or on Yemen, at a British or Yemeni University. Applicants’ nationality is irrelevant. Applications may be made to assist with study in any subject or field, so long as it is concerned with Yemen, and is for a specific qualification (e.g. BA, MA, PhD etc.).

Deadline for applications: 31 May 2019. Information: http://b-ys.org.uk/activities/bys-academic-grant

 

 

 

8. The Editorial board of the Journal of “Journal of Iranian Islamic Period History” would like to invite lecturers and academics to submit their articles in English for the future winter issue. All submitted articles should be original and must not be under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Articles can be sent anytime via: https://tuhistory.tabrizu.ac.ir/contacts?_action=loginForm

Any inquiries, please contact Dr Alireza Karimi, Editor in Chief. ali_karimi@tabrizu.ac.ir​,  alireza.karimi.46@gmail.com

 

 

9. The University of Religions and Denominations (Qom, Iran), as the sole specialized university of interreligious dialogue in Iran, has been active for more than two decades with the goal of creating tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding and dialogue among the followers of all religions, in cooperation with several institutions and universities across the world.

The International Department of the university has a successful history of organizing academic conferences and short courses in which many professors and students have participated from all around the world.(For more information regarding the university please visit the following site: www.urd.ac.ir/en)

The International Intensive Courses of the department organizes academic programs twice a year, in summer and winter.

Having all mentioned above, hereby we are proud to invite you to attend the following courses for summer 2019 (and winter 2020: at the end of the paper):

2019 Summer  Courses
The 1st International Intensive Course Introducing Moderate Islam and Takfiri Islam	12-16 August 2019
Cultural Tour	17-20 August 2019
The 9th International Intensive Course on Shi’a Studies: the Status of Seminary and Clergymen in Shi’ite Thought	21-25 August 2019
The 2nd International Intensive Course on Women’s Studies in Islam and Iran	21-25 August 2019

 

For further information and how to apply:

Send your personal photo, passport copy, resume and the application form to us through:

Email:  shortcoursesurd@gmail.com

What’s App or Telegram:  +98 919 351 70 50 

 

 

 

Saudi religious moderation: How real is it?

Meet Mohammed bin Abdul-Karim Al-Issa, the public face of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s version of moderate Islam. Mr. Al-Issa’s moves also serve to strengthen ties with US President Donald J. Trump’s Evangelist voter base and shape an environment that legitimizes Saudi Arabia’s close cooperation with Israel.

The Limits of Saudi ‘Reform’, 15
See also ‘Saudi ex-Imam of Mecca ‘no longer considers Shia Muslims as heretics’.

A Safavid Bureaucrat in the Ottoman World: Mirza Makhdum Sharifi Shirazi and the Quest for Upward Mobility in the İlmiye Hierarchy

This present article examines Mirza Makhdum Sharifi Shirazi’s (1540-87) life and career in the Ottoman Empire. Mirza Makhdum was a high-ranking Twelver Shiite bureaucrat in Safavid Iran, but after taking refuge with the Ottomans, he converted to Sunnism and started a new career as a judge in Diyarbakir, Bilad al-Sham, Baghdad, and the holy cities of the Hijaz.

5 UN Experts Call on Bahrain to Halt Executions of Two Individuals Amid Torture Allegations

21 May 2019 – Today, five UN experts appealed to Bahrain to halt the execution of two men, Ali Al-Arab and Ahmed Al-Malali, amid “serious concerns” that their convictions were based on confessions extracted under torture and that they did not receive a fair trial. BIRD has documented nine individuals currently at risk of imminent…

For BIRD Weekly 236, click here.