Contemporary Islamic Studies at University of Aberdeen? Dr Gabriele Marranci Religious Studies

Dr Ataullah Siddiquis Report On 10th April 2007, Dr Siddiqui submitted to Bill Rammell MP, (Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education) a report titled Islam at University in England: Meeting the Needs and Investigating the future.Islam at University in England: Meeting the Needs and Investigating the future The report provided some material for discussion of what Islamic studies may be today, post 9/11. The report shows the deep crisis of traditional Islamic Studies in the UK.

England In England we can trace at least 19 institutions (including Universities, Institutes, and Centres) offering at undergraduate and postgraduate level programs on Islamic Studies (see Appendix H). In England we can trace at least 19 institutions (including Universities, Institutes, and Centres) offering at undergraduate and postgraduate level programs on Islamic Studies (see Appendix H). Appendix H Appendix H Some Universities have departments focusing on Middle East Studies, such as Cambridge, Durham University, The University of Leeds, The University of Manchester, The University of Nottingham, SOAS, The University of Oxford. Some Universities have departments focusing on Middle East Studies, such as Cambridge, Durham University, The University of Leeds, The University of Manchester, The University of Nottingham, SOAS, The University of Oxford. Some universities have two departments focusing on Islamic related topics: one that is more political and based in Politics and IR or middle east studies, and another in Divinity and Religious Studies. Some universities have two departments focusing on Islamic related topics: one that is more political and based in Politics and IR or middle east studies, and another in Divinity and Religious Studies. The majority of the English universities teach Islamic Studies within departments of Divinity and Religious Studies. The majority of the English universities teach Islamic Studies within departments of Divinity and Religious Studies.

England The most comprehensive university offering courses and research in the field of Islamic studies is SOAS, in London. The most comprehensive university offering courses and research in the field of Islamic studies is SOAS, in London. Islamic studies in England is very variegate, and with few exceptions, focused on traditional 1960s Middle East Studies or, in the case of Divinity and Religious Studies, Islamic history and theology (fiqh, sharia, Quranic studies). Islamic studies in England is very variegate, and with few exceptions, focused on traditional 1960s Middle East Studies or, in the case of Divinity and Religious Studies, Islamic history and theology (fiqh, sharia, Quranic studies). Recently (in particular in the aftermath of 9/11), some new courses on Islam in Britain or Muslims in Britain have been developed (a majority at the level of MA). Recently (in particular in the aftermath of 9/11), some new courses on Islam in Britain or Muslims in Britain have been developed (a majority at the level of MA). For instance: University of Birmingham, SOAS. For instance: University of Birmingham, SOAS.

Scotland Despite the historical connections as well as the actual economical links that Scotland had, and has, with the Muslim world, the study of Islam and Muslims is very much less developed. Despite the historical connections as well as the actual economical links that Scotland had, and has, with the Muslim world, the study of Islam and Muslims is very much less developed. University of Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh: Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Edinburgh Institute for the Study of the Arab World and Islam. Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Edinburgh Institute for the Study of the Arab World and Islam. Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies The university has other courses concerning Islam in different departments (such as history of Art and RS). The university has other courses concerning Islam in different departments (such as history of Art and RS). University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow: Theology and Religious Studies Theology and Religious Studies Centre for the Study of Islam (3 members of staff ) Centre for the Study of Islam (3 members of staff )Centre for the Study of IslamCentre for the Study of Islam

Scotland University of St Andrews University of St Andrews Institute for Iranian Studies (only PG) Institute for Iranian Studies (only PG) Institute for Iranian Studies Institute for Iranian Studies Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS) (only PG) Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS) (only PG) Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS) Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS) Few courses on Islam available (UG and supervision) in anthropology, history and politics. Few courses on Islam available (UG and supervision) in anthropology, history and politics. University of Stirling University of Stirling School of Languages, Cultures and Religions School of Languages, Cultures and Religions School of Languages, Cultures and Religions School of Languages, Cultures and Religions 1 course (10 credits) Islam as a Way of Life 1 course (10 credits) Islam as a Way of Life

University of Aberdeen There is great potential for The University of Aberdeen to develop through the curriculum reform a unique approach to the study of Islam and Muslims. There is great potential for The University of Aberdeen to develop through the curriculum reform a unique approach to the study of Islam and Muslims. I call this approach Contemporary Islamic Studies. I call this approach Contemporary Islamic Studies. We cannot compete with The University of Edinburgh on topics such as Middle East or traditional Islamic studies. We cannot compete with The University of Edinburgh on topics such as Middle East or traditional Islamic studies. Or with the Centre for the Study of Islam for theological approaches. Or with the Centre for the Study of Islam for theological approaches.Centre for the Study of IslamCentre for the Study of Islam

Contemporary Islamic Studies My visit to the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies Australia. My visit to the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies Australia. Islamic Studies Australia Islamic Studies Australia Melbourne University, Griffith University, University of Western Sydney (UWS). Melbourne University, Griffith University, University of Western Sydney (UWS). UWS: develop a new approach to the study of Muslims which brings together Muslims and non-Muslims and offers UG courses aimed to develop specific skills for journalists, politicians and so on. UWS: develop a new approach to the study of Muslims which brings together Muslims and non-Muslims and offers UG courses aimed to develop specific skills for journalists, politicians and so on. Strong focus on PG and research. Strong focus on PG and research.

Contemporary Islamic Studies Based on a social scientific approach to Muslim culture and issues worldwide. Based on a social scientific approach to Muslim culture and issues worldwide. Offering an understanding of contemporary global challenges. Offering an understanding of contemporary global challenges. Global flows of ideas and knowledge. Global flows of ideas and knowledge. Economic networks and Muslims. Economic networks and Muslims. Flows of people through migration. Flows of people through migration. The global development of the Muslim diaspora. The global development of the Muslim diaspora. Global revivalism and the emergence of religious centres. Global revivalism and the emergence of religious centres. Religious practice and politics. Religious practice and politics. Global networks of reformism and Islamic movements. Global networks of reformism and Islamic movements. Muslim countries, groups and conflicts. Muslim countries, groups and conflicts.

Contemporary Islamic Studies The aim is to develop a program, and possibly a centre for advanced research, which connects University of Aberdeen to other international universities (in Europe, USA, and Asia) that are developing similar approaches to the study of the Muslim world. The aim is to develop a program, and possibly a centre for advanced research, which connects University of Aberdeen to other international universities (in Europe, USA, and Asia) that are developing similar approaches to the study of the Muslim world. Contemporary Islamic Studies can be one of those New Aberdeen Courses designed to introduce, compare and apply to specific problems. Contemporary Islamic Studies can be one of those New Aberdeen Courses designed to introduce, compare and apply to specific problems.

What we have, what we need We have some members of staff within the College of Arts and Social Sciences with the right skills to start such a project. We have some members of staff within the College of Arts and Social Sciences with the right skills to start such a project. I have tried more than once to do so. I have tried more than once to do so. Shared vision among the member of staff. Shared vision among the member of staff. Difficulties experienced at the level of School administration. Difficulties experienced at the level of School administration. Need to develop the project at College level. Need to develop the project at College level. Need a strategic recruitment of new staff to support the fields of Contemporary Islamic Studies. Need a strategic recruitment of new staff to support the fields of Contemporary Islamic Studies. Example: in the case of a vacancy within the school of law, priority being given to select a new member of staff who can also contribute to courses or supervision in the field of Sharia law. Example: in the case of a vacancy within the school of law, priority being given to select a new member of staff who can also contribute to courses or supervision in the field of Sharia law.

What we can miss We are among the first 200 universities in the world, aiming to be among the first 100 in forthcoming years. We are among the first 200 universities in the world, aiming to be among the first 100 in forthcoming years. We are the only university which has no visible program (not even a minor!) concerning Islamic studies or the study of Muslims, despite validating the Al-Maktoum Institute. We are the only university which has no visible program (not even a minor!) concerning Islamic studies or the study of Muslims, despite validating the Al-Maktoum Institute. There are discussions to start a European centre of excellence for Islamic studies in the UK. There are discussions to start a European centre of excellence for Islamic studies in the UK. There are discussions to start a European centre of excellence for Islamic studies in the UK. There are discussions to start a European centre of excellence for Islamic studies in the UK. As far as I know, we are not part of that discussion. As far as I know, we are not part of that discussion. By providing an extremely visible and innovative, but internationally appreciated, approach such as Contemporary Islamic Studies, we cannot only take part in that discussion, but possibly be among those universities that will lead it. By providing an extremely visible and innovative, but internationally appreciated, approach such as Contemporary Islamic Studies, we cannot only take part in that discussion, but possibly be among those universities that will lead it.