32nd Annual Conference

The 32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
of the
Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS)

EAST Meets WEST: Understanding the Muslim Presence in Europe and North America

Cosponsored by:
Indiana University: Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program
and
Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures
Bloomington, Indiana
September 26 - 28, 2003

Call for Papers
Program
Abstracts
Final Papers
Conference Report

Call for Papers

The Muslim presence in “the West” is thought to be a new, and to some, a troubling phenomenon. But what does the rapidly growing western Muslim community really imply? Are there tensions between being a “Muslim” and a “Westerner?” What impact can Muslims have on western societies and policies? Can we go beyond the “clash of civilisations” thesis that has supporters in both the non-Muslim and Muslim worlds?

The 32nd AMSS Annual Conference, to be held at Indiana University in Bloomington, from September 26 - 28, 2003, is an opportunity to explore these, and related questions about the Muslim presence in the West, past, present, and future. The idea that Muslims and the West represent incompatible values, propagated by both Muslims and non-Muslims, is a well-worn topic of examination. We are looking for papers that will bring fresh insights to the situation of Muslims in the West. Ideally, participants will produce innovative ideas that will be a benefit not only to academia, but also to those activists and policy-makers seeking to better the lives of Muslims in the West, and indeed, around the globe.

To that end, papers are solicited that speak to the following sub-themes:

Theoretical Reflections: Are “Islam” and the “West” Meaningful Categories?
New Paradigms for the Study of Islam and the West
Ethnographic Studies of Muslim Communities in Western Countries: Past and Present
Comparative Studies of Muslim Communities in Europe and North America
Muslim Presence in the West: Implications for Public and Foreign Policy
Implications of Muslim Presence in the West on Muslim Countries
Coming of Age of Muslims as Political Players
The Impact of Islam and Muslims on Future World History Events
Historical Events and their Impact on the Contemporary Muslim Experience
Institutionalization of Islam in the West
Anti-Muslim Polemics: Past, Present and Future
New Fiqh for Muslims as Minorities in the West
Muslim Women and the Family in the West
Hybridity, Identity and Assimilation
Muslim Stereotypes in the Western Media: Coverage and Response

Abstracts (250 words) are due by May 15th. Accepted proposals will be announced within 30 days. Accepted papers must be submitted by August 22nd to be included in the conference program. If completed papers are not in by the due date, they will not be included in the conference.

Send abstracts to Conference Coordinator Layla Sein via email: coordinator@amss.net.