Friday, 6 July 2007

A stellar line-up of local, national and international speakers will gather at The University of Western Australia next month to focus on the complex and sometimes vexed issue of Muslim inclusion in the Western world.

UWA’s Centre for Muslim States and Societies, in conjunction with the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA), is hosting the three-day 2007 Fulbright Symposium ‘Muslim Citizens in the West: Promoting Social Inclusion’, at The University Club from August 1 to August 3.

Hosting rights for the annual symposium were awarded by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission following a national competition.

Themes will include different approaches to the inclusion and exclusion of Muslims, American and Australian Muslims post 9/11, a comparison of different experiences among Muslims in the West, Muslim women and Muslim leadership.

Speakers include:

  • Dr Tahir Abbas, from The University of Birmingham;
  • Professor Mumtaz Ahmad, from Hampton University in the United States;
  • Dr Katherine Bullock, from the Islamic Society of North America;
  • Professor Fadwa El-Guindi, from the University of Southern California;
  • Author Jamila Hussain;
  • Dr Rahil Ismail, from the National Technological University of Singapore;
  • Dr Tasneem Meenai, from India’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution; and
  • Professor Michael Humphrey, from the University of Sydney.

Associate Professor Samina Yasmeen, Director of UWA’s Centre for Muslim States and Societies, said the symposium would focus on the interaction between social, political, economic, cultural and religious factors that may contribute to the inclusion or exclusion of Muslims in the West.

“To foster a greater sense of social inclusion, we need to understand what factors and policies in society promote the inclusion or exclusion or Muslims, what issues or conditions contribute to real or perceived inclusion and what role do schools, media, women, youth organisations and Muslim leadership play in the process,” she said.

“Universities have a major role in fostering debate on issues of community importance. We hope to find ways in which social inclusion of Muslim citizens can be promoted and supported.”

Professionals working in policy development and analysis, academics and members of the general public with an interest in these issues are all invited to attend.

For information and registration details, visit www.cmss.uwa.edu.au/fulbright_symposium or contact the Centre for Muslim States and Societies at [email protected] or phone 6488 4554.

Attendees have the option of attending for the first day or all three days.

The symposium is supported by the Office of Multicultural Interests, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Muslim Community Cooperative (Australia).

Media references

Associate Professor Samina Yasmeen 61 8 6488 2278 / 4554
Simone Hewett / Francesca Robb 61 8 6488 7977
(UWA Public Affairs) 0420 790 097 / 0420 790 098

Tags

Channels
Events — Media Statements — University News