Author: Nassef Manabilang Adiong

The Islamic Community of Milli Görüs (IGMG) warmly welcomes you to its upcoming symposium:

“Muslims amidst the tension of critique and conformity”
Bielefeld (Germany), 28 – 29 April 2012

The main objective of the conference will be to elaborate on the (social) critical potential of religions in general and of Islam in particular. However, the fact that religions – and thus Islam too – tend to force conformity both externally and among its followers points to a problem which we intend to highlight during this symposium as well.

For further details regarding content and registration please visit our website:

www.symposium.igmg.de/en (English)
www.symposium.igmg.de(German)
www.symposium.igmg.de/tr(Turkish)

PROGRAMME

28 April 2012, Saturday

Keynote Speech
Prof. Dr. İhsan Fazlıoğlu, İstanbul Medeniyet Üniversitesi (Turkey)

1st Session: What is Critique? The History of a Term

Critique as a Philosophical Concept – From the Enlightenment to the Present
Prof. Dr. Anton Leist, Universität Zürich (Switzerland)

Critique in Islamic Thought
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Said Hatipoğlu (Turkey)

2nd Session: Islam and the Political – From Past to Present

The Role of the Ulema in Islamic Political History
Ass. Prof. Dr. Hayrettin Yücesoy, Washington University in St. Louis (USA)

Contemporary Islamic Movements and their Encounters with Power
Dr. Alev Erkilet (Turkey)

3rd Session: Coming to Terms with Modernity? Contemporary Muslim Cultures

Modern Forms of Muslim Religiosity
Ass. Prof. Dr. Ali Zaidi, Wilfried Laurier University (Canada)

Religion beats Modernity – Resisting Modern Culture as an Islamic Duty
Prof. Dr. Bedri Gencer, Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi (Turkey)

SALSABIL (Musical Performance)

29 April 2012, Sunday

4th Session: How Governments Produce their Citizens – The Case of Religion

Alevis in Turkey
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Markus Dressler, İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi (Turkey)

Cosmopolitan Jewish Traditions in Europe
Prof. Dr. A. S. Bruckstein Çoruh, ha’atelier – Platform for Philosophy & Art (Germany)

5th Session: Unyielding or Conformist? Muslims in Europe (Panel Discussion)

Oğuz Üçüncü, IGMG Secretary General
Dr. phil. habil. Eberhard Straub, Science Journalist
Aiman A. Mazyek, Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany
Prof. Dr. Ömer Özsoy, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (Germany)

Moderation: Eren Güvercin, Freelance Journalist and Writer

Conclusion

Islamic Community of Milli Görüş /Islamische Gemeinschaft Milli Görüş e.V. (IGMG)
Boschstraße 61-65
50171 Kerpen
Germany

http://www.igmg.de

June 20-21, 2012, Brussels

 From 2008 till 2012 a team based at six universities conducted extensive research on the social-cultural integration of different Muslim groups in Europe. This has resulted in the collection of unique data sets that give new insights into the interplay of policies, debates, and attitudes of, and, towards Muslim migrants. We are proud to present and discuss these research findings during a two day conference on 20-21 June 2012 in Brussels.

During the EURISLAM final conference we will present and discuss findings on citizenship and cultural policies; the media debate on Muslim and Islam in 30 national newspapers; leadership perspectives of over 90 representatives of Islamic and migrant organisations, and the attitudes and integration of nearly 5.000 respondents from Europe¹s four largest Islamic groups (Turks, Moroccans, Pakistani¹s, and Muslims from the former Yugoslav Republic). Data will be presented in a comparative analysis of the six participating countries (Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom)

It is often assumed that specific policies can positively influence the integration of immigrants and their offspring. The EURISLAM data will indicate that public and political dimensions are, however, not that strongly interlinked with the socio-economic and cultural integration of Muslim immigrants and their offspring. Different traditions and practices in the naturalization and cultural accommodation of Muslim migrants appear to be only a slight factor determining their overall integration within society. The results of the EURISLAM project hereby contribute to new ways of thinking about the importance of national and post-national policies concerning the accommodation and integration of migrants.

The conference will consist of two main plenary meetings, followed by a set of workshops. A preliminary conference programme with detailed information on the location and workshops will soon be made available. If you wish to attend the EURISLAM final conference, please send an email to m.w.koomen@uva.nl, stating your full name and organisation (if applicable).

On behalf of the EURISLAM team,

Prof. Dr. J.N. Tillie

The EURISLAM team consists of Prof. Dr. Jean Tillie (University of Amsterdam), Dr. Marco Giugni (Université de Genève), Prof. Dr. Paul Statham (University of Bristol), Prof. Dr. Ruud Koopmans (Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung), Prof. Dr. Dirk Jacobs (Université Libre de Bruxelles), and Dr. Manlio Cinalli (Centre de Recherches Politiques de Sciences Po). EURISLAM is a European comparative research project funded in the 7^th Framework of the European Commission. Answers were sought to the questions how different traditions of identity, citizenship, and church-state relations have affected European immigration countries¹ incorporation of Islam, and what the consequences are of these approaches for interactions between migrants, their offspring, and the receiving society. 

Call for Papers and Participation: Third Annual Middle East Dialogue

Washington, DC, Thursday 21 February, 2013

The Digest of Middle East Studies (DOMES) and the Washington-based Policy Studies Organization (PSO) are pleased to announce the Third Annual Middle East Dialogue (MED) and call for papers. The MED2013 will be held on Thursday 21 February 2013 at the Whittemore House: Washington DC, home of The Woman’s National Democratic Club. The theme for the 2013 conference is “New Directions in the Middle East.”

The Middle East Dialogue has established an international reputation as a focal point for new research, and a forum for the exchange of opinions and different views about issues of social, political, and economic reforms and development in this vital and strategic part of the world.  In addition, discussions go on concerning women’s rights and roles in the new Middle East, and ethnic and interfaith dialogue.

Proposals are sought from individuals or groups on topics relating to the areas mentioned above. Proposals can be configured variously as twenty minute individual presentations, or round-table discussions on particular topics. Proposals are encouraged to explore present, past and futuristic approaches to these issues and “what if” scenarios, as well as conflict resolution, and problem-solving recommendations.

Proposals of one to two pages should be sent as email attachments, along with a brief CV by September 15, 2012 to Mr. Daniel Gutierrez Sandoval at Policy Studies Organization (PSO), e-mail address is: dgutierrezs@ipsonet.org. Proposals submitted before September 15^th will receive notice of approval or rejection by September 30, 2012. A panel of reviewers from DOMES International Editorial Board will also recommend select papers for publications in the peer-reviewed journal Digest of Middle East Studies (DOMES), published by Wiley-Blackwell.

The early conference registration fee for speakers is $200; $250 for conference attendees, due by October 30. Late registration fee will be $300 (registration fee covers breakfast, refreshments, lunch and concluding reception) payable and mailed to: PSO: 1527 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036 (Tel. (202) 349-9281; Fax (202) 483-2657; http://www.ipsonet.org).

Hotels near the Whittemore House include: Carlyle Suites ; Washington Hilton . Mention MED2013 when making reservations. If they receive the minimum required number for group reservations at one or the other they can grant MED2013 conferees discounted room/suite rates.

Past loyal supporters and co-sponsors of MED included: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM); American Public University System (APUS); The Next Century Foundation (NCF).  Other institutional, foundations, publishers, or individual sponsors are invited and will be acknowledged and listed on MED2013, PSO and DOMES web sites, program announcements, and the final MED2013 program to be distributed at the conference.

We hope that you will plan to join us in Washington on February 21 in what promises to be another successful gathering of scholars, diplomats and policy makers to discuss issues dealing with this vital part of our global economy and strategy.

Prof. Mohammed Aman, PhD                                   

Editor-in-Chief, DOMES                               

Co-Chair, MED2013

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee                             

Prof. Paul Rich, PhD

President, Policy Studies Organization

Co-Chair, MED2013

Washington, DC

Brittany Khatib

Graduate Assistant to Professor Mohammed M. Aman, PhD

Editor-in-Chief, Digest of Middle East Studies (DOMES)

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

bbestol@uwm.edu

Elena Vezzadini

Postdoc CEAf – EHESS

96 Boulevard Raspail

Paris, 75006

Tel.: 0033 601636672