Muslim diversities: communities and contexts

May 31, 2007December 7, 2018 Euro-Islam

“Muslim diversities: communities and contexts” seeks to bring together a collection of academic works that extends and informs knowledge and understanding about the diversity of communities and groups that constitute the contemporary Islamic and Muslim social, political, economic and theological landscapes in the UK, Europe and beyond.

To do this, chapters are required that focus upon a specific community (understood in terms of a community, organisation or group) that is then considered within a very specific contemporary context. It is vitally important that a specific context is therefore identified and established from the outset, as it is this that will provide the necessary framework from within which the necessary critical engagement of that community will be undertaken.

In being interdisciplinary and innovative in your approach, you may wish to consider some of the following communities (a list that is indicative rather than exhaustive):

Long established ethnic communities, e.g Turkish, Pakistanis

  Newly established communities, e.g. Eastern Europeans, Somalis

  Theological groups and movements, e.g. Shi’a (broad), Tablighi Jamaat (more specific)

  Political or politicised groups, e.g. Hizb ut-Tahrir, Stop the War (Muslim contingent)

  New and emergent communities, e.g. the Muslim Boys, converts/reverts

  Splinter and/or non-mainstream communities, e.g. Nation of Islam, Ismailies

In approaching these communities, you might wish to consider some of the following themes as a means of contextualisation:

  Political issues, e.g. integration, assimilation, belonging

  The media, e.g. how the community use the media, how the media represent the respective community

  Security, terrorism and associated legislation, e.g. responses both to and by Muslims organisations following major events such as 9/11, 7/7 and so on

  Theological differences, e.g. from orthodox forms of Islam, how these impact upon intra-community relationships and understandings

  Inter-faith perspectives and relationships

  Cultural aspects, e.g. music, art, literature, film

  The influence and effect of geography, e.g. from the simplest understanding of a given geographical location through to the perspective of minority status and all that this entails

Both established academics as well as postgraduates from across a variety of disciplines are encouraged in the first instance to submit an abstract of no more than 500 words that clearly sets out both the community concerned and the context within which the proposed chapter will undertake its exploration. Accompanying your abstract should be a short biography, full contact details and any academic affiliation. Submissions from suitably qualified practitioners outside the traditional academic environment will also be considered where appropriate.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 31 May 2007. For those whose abstracts are successful, you will be required to submit a first draft of your chapter by 1 September 2007.

To submit abstracts or to request further information, please contact Chris Allen at: [email protected] / [email protected]

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