The 5th Annual Conference on The Muslim World

The fifth annual conference on the Muslim world is a short-term, residential, and academic conference hosted by the Institute of International Studies, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with The Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture (Program in Islamic, Turkish, and Near-Eastern Studies) at Washington College and Creative Learning, a non-profit organization based in Washington DC. The conference departs from the need to provide more venues to advance the discussion regarding the topics relevant with the study of Muslim world in the spirit of learning and promoting understanding.

This fifth conference will carry a theme of “democracy and the Muslim society”. This choice of theme is based on two reasons. First, it is known that the relation between Islam and democracy has been difficult, especially in light of the recent setbacks from the Arab Spring. Studies have shown mixed result with regards to whether the two are compatible. Recent challenges to democracy in the U.S. and Europe, where democracies have been matured, warrant a revisit to the question of democratic consolidation or de-consolidation in the Muslim society. Second, the location of the conference Indonesia coincides with the place often cited as the success story of harmonious relation between Islam and democracy. It is, therefore, pressing as well as fitting to discuss about the relations between democracy and the Muslim society in this fifth conference.

Participants of this conference will be expected to come from universities in North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. The conference is also unique in the sense that the invitations are extended not only to faculty members, but also undergraduate and graduate students, promising not only interfaith and intercultural exchanges of views, but potentially also intergenerational.

Objective

To bring together academics of all backgrounds from different regions around the world including top undergraduate and graduate students, as well as leading faculty to join in discussion of topics concerning the Muslim world. This conference facilitates exchanges and promotes understanding between academics of all backgrounds helping to build bridges for young persons and academics alike. Furthermore, it is a wonderful and very unique opportunity for undergraduates and graduate students to gain valuable experience in presenting and taking part in this distinguished international and academic conference.

 

 

Conference Theme: Democracy and the Muslim Society

Panels:

1. Democratic Consolidation

Despite many criticisms that point to the incompatibility between Islamic society and democracy, there are in fact cases where democracy is progressing and consolidating, for example in Tunisia. This panel expects a discussion on the stories of democratic consolidation in the Muslim societies and the lessons that can be learned from them.

 

2. Democratic Deconsolidation

Recent years or decades also witness the cases where democracy in many Muslim societies is eroding, Turkey being a case in point. This panel expects a discussion on the stories of democratic de-consolidation in the Muslim societies and the lessons that can be learned from them.

 

3. Country Focus: Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest democracy in the Muslim world. It has undergone years of institution-building and, despite many challenges to democratic values in recent times, remain the symbol of harmony between democracy and Islam. This panel accommodates papers that discuss Indonesia as the stage where democracy and Islam meets.

 

4. Inter-Faith and Intra-Faith Relations

One of the main challenges to democracy is on how to manage relations among faith communities. There are many potential sources of conflict and given the sensitive nature of religious beliefs, this could very well translate into violent relations. This panel discusses the intricacies of inter-faith and intra-faith relations and dialogue in a democratic environment.

 

5. Islamic Populism

While populism has been on the rise on many western societies, the same is also happening in many Muslim countries. This panel looks into the nature of the populism in the Muslim countries and the ways in which it takes place.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract Submission Period: 5 May 2017 – 12 June 2017

Notification of Acceptance: 19 June 2017

Registration Period: 20 June – 20 July 2017

Full Paper Submission Deadline: 4 September 2017

Conference: 18-20 September 2017