Co-IRIS (International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort) 

IR as a field is not a unilateral project rather it is an intellectual platform. The aim of Co-IRIS is to explore Islamic contributions to the field. The inclusion of Muslim contributions is not meant to create an isolationist, judicious divide between what is Islamic and what is not. Co-IRIS is created to act on the inclusion of that knowledge as a building bloc in the IR field. Co-IRIS is premised on the idea that knowledge is fluid: peoples adopt and utilize thoughts and ideas regardless of faith, gender, nation, etc. The mainstream idea that all knowledge presented by the West is from an “Orientalist” perspective or that there is a “clash of civilizations” are both notions that are antithetical to our mission. It is created by a group of researchers interested in developing and sustaining a body of knowledge that addresses the theories and practices of the Muslim civilization and of Muslim societies with regards to international affairs and to the discipline of International Relations.

History

Co-IRIS was previously known as IR-IS Research Cohort. IR-IS Research Cohort was created by Dr. Nassef Manabilang Adiong on December 29, 2012 through various social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+. His blog/website and twitter served as temporary e-places where he formulated his thoughts and disseminated information. It was his aspiration to introduce Islamic contributions to the field of IR because he observed a tremendous non-recognition of Islamic scholars’ theories and practices of international relations among IR scholars, particularly in the West. His dream is to find shared values and mutual understanding between IR and IS.

Until he found avenues and academic tools as starting point to gradually materialize his aspirations, he was able to edit a book, create a section conference, and organize meetings with people who have similar passion and interests. Firstly, through exchanges of correspondence with Dr. Raffaele Mauriello and Dr. Deina Abdelkader and, later, a meeting in Rapallo (Italy) from October 30 to November 02 held as part of the annual Exploratory Symposia organized by the European International Studies Association, Co-IRIS was born.

We cordially invite you to join Co-IRIS by registering here.