As both Muslim and Western governments increasingly seek the help of so-called “moderate” Muslim leaders, we still know little about why some of them are better able to mitigate the growth of militant Islamist groups. This paper explores some of the conditions that make successful “moderate” mobilization possible.…

Part of the Ronald and Janette Gatty series

Sharyn Davies, Associate Professor, Director of the Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre, Monash University

Indonesia is experiencing an im/moral turn. We see this in the push to make all sexual activity outside heteronormative marriage illegal. If that…

This roundtable brings academics and activists together to discuss contemporary issues of Hindu belonging and minority recognition in Pakistan. Speakers will draw on their ethnographic research and activism with Hindus in Sindh, Pakistan to engage questions of devotional life, religious difference, caste, class,…

At the turn of the twentieth century, thousands of Central Asians made the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Traveling long distances, many lived for extended periods in Ottoman cities dotting the routes. Though technically foreigners, these hajjis often blurred the lines between pilgrims and migrants. Not quite Ottoman…

‘Our parents couldn’t teach us what Islam actually is!’ This assertion, made by a 24-year-old youth, epitomizes the critical stance of second-generation Italian-Bangladeshis towards the religiosity of first-generation migrants. Based on ethnographic research within the Bangladeshi community in Rome, this…

Our CMS seminar today will be led by the curator of the Middle Eastern Collection in Olin Library, who will be hosting us to see precious objects in the library's collection about Islam. We have many world-class books, some of them centuries old, which show the history and evolution of Islam over a long…