par Dr AS Boisliveau
ENDS AND BEGINNINGS
Annual conference of the EASR (European Association of the Study of Religion)
Special conference of the IAHR
Södertörn University, Stockholm. 23-26 August, 2012
Date limite: 1er mai 2012!!
Religion, it has been claimed, is generated by our desire to escape from the tyranny of time. Through certain thoughts and practices, people have sought to evade the end that our temporal existence so inevitably seems to lead up to. Religion often circles around the promise of a new beginning - a prosperous life in this world or a renewed existence in the hereafter. In the Abrahamic traditions, humankind is placed at the heart of a cosmic drama that is framed by notions of an absolute beginning, an apocalyptic end, and, beyond that, an eternity that obliterates the boundaries of time. Ritualized activities, furthermore, are often performed as expressions or celebrations of ends and beginnings - of seasons, communities or of phases in an individual's life.
All these matters have attracted the attention of scholars of religion, as has the larger question of whether there can be said to be a beginning or an end of religion in general. Can we - in the darkness of prehistory or in the evolution of human cognition - localise a beginning of religion? And, is it - in a time when theories of secularisation, rationalisation and disenchantment are increasingly put into question - still possible to speak of the decline of religion or of its end?
We are pleased to invite scholars of different disciplines to take part in this conference, by which we hope to stimulate theoretical, methodological and empirical progress within the academic study of religion. Ends and beginnings is the 11th annual conference of EASR (European Association for the Study of Religion). It is a special conference of the IAHR (International Association for the History of Religions) and is organized in collaboration with SSRF (Swedish Association for the History of Religions).
Abstract submission deadline: May 1, 2012
It is now possible to register to the conference. In order to register, please use the link below.
Abstracts for individual papers can now also be submitted. You can either submit an abstract to one of the open paper sessions or register your abstract as "Other" (end of list).
Conference fees until the 15th of June:
120€ Full registration fee
80€ PhD/Student
170€ Late registration fee (after 15th of June)
120€ Late registration fee for PhD/Students (after 15th of June)
Register and submit abstracts here
If you have any questions related to the academic content of the conference, please contact the organising commitee.
If you have questions about your registration or other administrative services, please contact Meetagain Konferens: easr2012@meetagain.se
http://webappo.web.sh.se/EASR2012#!/p3/ext/content.nsf/aget?openagent&key=easr2012_1304345036643
SESSIONS ON ISLAM
11. Traditional Islamic Education: Ends and Beginnings?
Discussed topic linked as it is (legitimately or otherwise) to concerns about identity, extremism and educational attainment. In this panel we seek to discuss the relation between traditional Islamic teaching/learning and challenges posed by globalization and modernization: What is the role and function and value of memorization and rote learning in the age of "google"? How do teachers of confessional/traditional Islamic subjects meet the challenges of modern pedagogy and society? How do they compete in the Islamic formation of young Muslims with the influence of other, electronic sources of knowledge about Islam? To what extent can traditional Islamic education form a respected part of a society's wider education system? In that education has often been in the centre of Islamic reform, what are the major pedagogical trends? How do young Muslim learners negotiate their position in relation to the different pedagogies they experience in Islamic and "mainstream" education? We would like to invite scholars who study Islamic teaching and learning and are interested in these questions to submit papers to our panel.
Jenny Berglund, Södertörn University, Sweden
12. The Validity of Shari'ah in the 21st Century
Abdallah Kheir, Kenyatta University, Kenya
13. Religions in Central Asia and Caucasus: either Tolerance or Threats
The Panel is devoted to the timely questions of historical and contemporary poly-confessional situation in Central Asia and Caucasus. Last decades the issue of religion and the potential threats poses to Central Asian and Caucuses countries – the cross-route of Civilizations and Religions. These historical specifics are the background for the contemporary traditions of tolerance and patience. At the same time, the real threats, every often connected to religion, faced in the Region. Panelists will show historical background and current situation taken part in the Region.
Prof. Dr. Gulnara Mendikulova, World Association of the Kazakhs, Kazakstan
14. Trends in Contemporary Salafi Discourse
Salafism has emerged as a strong and diversified current in contemporary Islam. We can distinguish different kinds of Salafism with varying views on how to implement dogma. Some advocate complete segregation. Some take part in elections. Yet others call for a global jihad to convert the world to their version of Islam. We invite papers on Salafism related to various themes, such as politics, faith, inter-religious communication, violence, utopian struggle, worldview, aqidah etc.
Susanne Olsson, Södertörn University, Sweden
16. "The Best of Epochs is Mine" - Returning to the Origins in Contemporary Islam
The panel invites papers on Muslims activists who joined movements that claim to go back to the origins of Islam. These include Salafis, modernists and postmodernists. The aim of the panel is to reflect on deep biographies of men and women who turn to such movements, with a desire to reach or realize a pure, unadulterated meaning and practice of Islam. Comparative cases will highlight meanings of Islam that have been ignored in the social and political implications of these movements.
Abdulkader Tayob, University of Cape Town, South Africa
17. Perspectives of the Dialogues between Christians and Muslims
Dialogues between Christians and Muslims at the court of Abbasid caliphs. -Second Vatican Council (Dignitatis Humanae, Lumen Gentium, Nostra Aetate) -Activity by John Paul II including the political alliance with Bhenazir Bhutto and other Muslim leaders. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, a prominent person in the recent Vatican administration, maybe the follower to Benedict XVI. Secular aspect e.g. peacemaking.
Sandor Foldvari, Debrecen University, Hungary
18. Egypt and the Arab Spring
The popular revolution in Egypt has given rise to new and unexpected developments in terms of the political role of religion. The Muslim Brotherhood has emerged as a strong political power. At the same time, conservative Salafis formed political parties. Copts are torn between forming own parties or align with others. The rising role of religion in post-revolutionary Egypt raises several important questions dealt with in this session.
Susanne Olsson, Södertörn University, Sweden