Call for Abstracts
MUSLIM DIVERSITIES volumes II & III: 'Circumstances & Change' and
'Conformity & Conflict' respectively
The 'Muslim Diversities' series offers a comprehensive exploration of the
diversities that constitute the contemporary Islamic and Muslim social,
political, economic and theological landscapes around the world,
challenging and deconstructing the assumption of homogeneity that pervades
contemporary understandings of what constitutes today's 'Islam' and
'Muslims'. Each of its three volumes seek to present a wide range of
critically engaged and innovatively informed perspectives, drawn from
contributors in Britain, Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and
Australia. With the first volume 'Communities & Contexts' due for
publication in early 2008, volume II entitled 'Circumstances & Change'
will focus on the transitions that Muslim communities around the word are
currently undergoing, in the context of new and historical factors - both
external and internal - that have been the impetus for socio-economic,
geo-political, geographic and demographic change. Volume III, 'Conformity
and Conflict' will critically explore the key issues and tensions that
currently affect contemporary Muslim communities, considering the relative
bi-polarity of how these are manifested, particularly in terms of those
who experience tension or are in a state of flux. With all three volumes
scheduled for publication by late 2008, the series intends to stimulate
new thinking across a range of relevant and timely issues.
Innovative and interdisciplinary chapters for volumes II and III are now
being invited. Focusing upon a specific community (which can be understood
in terms of a community, organisation, group or other entity whether
broadly or more narrowly), both established academics and postgraduates as
well as practitioners from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds are
encouraged to submit an abstract of no more than 500 words. To do so, you
might wish to consider some of the following indicative - rather than
exhaustive - thematic strands in terms of either 'circumstance and change'
or 'conformity and conflict':
- 'External' political issues and factors including the geo-political,
e.g. integration, assimilation, belonging, globalised 'events' including
'war on terror' (especially localised consequences)
- 'Internal' political issues, factors and movements, e.g.
'Islamification', mobilisation and politicisation, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Stop
the War (Muslim contingent)
- Community issues and foci, e.g. tensions between different communities
and/or generations, representation (political and other), sexuality,
gender
- Demographic and socio-economic change and influence, e.g. the shift from
rural to urban, growing/shrinking communities, 'class'
- Manifestations and expressions of religiosity, faith and identity, e.g.
orthodox, liberal, 'moderate' or 'mainstream', 'radical' or
'fundamentalist', 'British' 'Euro' Islam etc
- Communication and media networks, e.g. case studies on how medias
represent given communities, the emergence of 'Muslim' medias
- Theological difference, e.g. orthodox forms of Islam and how these
impact upon intra-community relationships and understandings, less
orthodox forms of Islam, splinter and/or factional movements (abstracts on
the Nation of Islam would be warmly welcomed)
- Inter-faith perspectives and relationships especially in terms of
conflict and/or co-operation
- Cultural aspects, movements and trends, e.g. new expressions of as well
as conflicts around 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 majority/minority status
Abstracts should clearly set out both the community in focus and the
thematic context, along with a short note about how this might be relevant
to volume in question. Accompanying this should be a short biography, full
contact details and any academic or organisational affiliation.
The deadline for submission of abstracts is 31 October 2007. For those
whose abstracts are successful, you will be required to submit a first
draft of your chapter by 1 February 2008. To submit abstracts or to
request further information, please contact Chris Allen at
[log in to unmask]
(A pdf version of this call for abstracts can be downloaded from
www.chris-allen.co.uk for circulating to your colleagues and/or networks)
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